3M (Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company)

The Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, known today as 3M, is a successful science-based company and global manufacturer of adhesives and other products. For many years, 3M used asbestos in its operations and products. When 3M workers and consumers began developing life-threatening asbestos diseases, lawsuits against the company followed.

There is currently more than $30 billion available in asbestos trust funds. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, keep in mind that you may be entitled to substantial compensation. We invite you to fill out our form today for a free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information about experienced mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file an asbestos trust fund claim, and much more. 

Did 3M Use Asbestos?

3M was founded to mine natural resources in northern Minnesota and make products from mined materials. Eventually, the company shifted to manufacturing.

3M used asbestos in many of its products for several years. These include adhesives and caulking materials.

3M History

3M History

3M was founded in 1902 by Dr. J Danley Budd, John Dwan, William A. McGonagle, Herman W. Cable, and Henry S. Bryan. According to the company’s official website, the five founders all had a single goal in mind for the company at the beginning: to mine corundum, a mineral found in a Crystal Bay mine.

• Although the company’s founders didn’t have luck with corundum, a partnership began that would take the company to global proportions.

In its early years, 3M primarily focused on producing sandpaper made from imported Spanish garnet. However, the real transformation began in 1916 when the company invested in its first laboratory, sparking a wave of innovation.

• In 1910, the company settled in St. Paul, Minnesota, and within ten years, created the waterproof sandpaper used to repel dust during automobile manufacturing. Among the company’s early inventions were also sound-deadening materials for automobiles.
• In 1925, the invention of masking tape by Richard G. Drew started the company’s Scotch brand, which grew to include cellophane tape and pressure-sensitive tape. Scotch tape remains one of 3M’s most iconic products.
• By World War II, 3M began manufacturing products for the military, including Scotchlite™ Reflective Sheeting and filament adhesive tape, which expanded the company into the graphic arts industry, leading to offset printing plates.
• Over the next several decades, the company developed many unique products, such as the world’s first synthetic grass surface. One of its best-known products, Post-It Notes, appeared in 1980, marking a significant milestone in everyday office supplies.
• Throughout the next several years, 3M continued to grow substantially. It added various products to its line, including Scotchgard™ products and Thermo-Fax™.

Today, 3M sells more than 60,000 products, showcasing its vast innovation and adaptability over the decades.

The company’s diverse product line grew to include unique offerings such as the world’s first synthetic grass surface and, in 1980, the introduction of Post-It Notes. Today, 3M sells more than 60,000 products worldwide.

• The company’s enormous success led to the opening of several factories worldwide, including locations in Australia, Canada, Mexico, France, and England.

Headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, 3M now employs over 93,000 people in 70 countries. The company’s products are available in more than 200 countries, and it has maintained a presence on the Fortune 500 list for over 65 years.

By the time the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) placed strict regulations on asbestos, 3M had already used the toxic set of minerals in various products for many years. From the mid-1930s through the late 1980s, the company manufactured a range of asbestos-containing products. This extensive time frame highlights the longevity of asbestos usage before regulatory changes took effect.

Understanding this timeline is crucial. It reflects not only the historical reliance on asbestos for its heat-resistant properties but also underscores the shift in public health policies as awareness of its dangers grew.

Here’s a quick overview of the timeline:

• Mid-1930s: 3M begins incorporating asbestos into their product line.
• Late 1980s: Production of asbestos-containing products ceases, aligning with increased regulatory scrutiny.

This stretch of over five decades marks a pivotal period in industrial history, demonstrating both the widespread adoption of asbestos and the eventual pivot towards safer alternatives.

Global sales total approximately $30 billion annually, with international sales accounting for more than 60% of all sales. 3M’s journey from a small mining venture to a global leader in innovation speaks volumes about its enduring impact on the world.

Today, 3M does not use asbestos in its products. It does make protective gear for asbestos workers, though. This includes respirator kits, eyewear, and body suits. It also provides training and technical support for using these products.

Which 3M Products Contained Asbestos?

3M used asbestos in several products over many years:

• Adhesive
• Caulk
• Cement
• Centerlite
• Greenlite Powder
• Heat Protective Rolls
• Heating Elements
• Hot Melt Sunset Resin
• Laminated Sheets
• Rubber Coated Asbestos Cloth
• Sandpaper
• Sealers
• Solid Pavement Material
• Sticky Tar Caulking
• Wet Adhesives

Asbestos Exposure and 3M Respirators

3M manufactures respirators designed to protect workers from asbestos and other toxic substances. The company faced controversy in the 1960s when some of its respirator models caused asbestos exposure:

• 3M 8500 Dust Mask. 3M claimed the 8500 model would protect workers from toxic dust. Later lawsuits contended that the masks failed. Workers who thought they were protected from asbestos were not. Some of these workers developed asbestos illnesses.

• 3M 8710 Disposable Respirator. The 8710 model was approved for use in workplaces with asbestos. Some workers did not realize that this approval only extended to situations in which asbestos levels were ten times or less than ten times the legal exposure limit.

3M Asbestos-Related Lawsuits

To date, former employees, contractors, and consumers have filed over 300,000 asbestos-related lawsuits and claims against 3M. These are a few notable cases.

Heather Von St. James

In 2005, Heather Von St. James, of St. Paul, Minnesota, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in her early 40s.

St. James was the daughter of a man who made a living by sanding drywall. He would come from work in asbestos-filled clothing and asbestos in his hair and on his skin each day.

This eventually led to St. James’ second-hand asbestos exposure. St. James filed an asbestos-related claim against 3M, the company responsible for her father’s asbestos exposure.

A confidential agreement wouldn’t allow St. James to confirm her compensation.

Frank Zickert

3M also faced numerous lawsuits for its 3M 8710 mask, which was considered defective.

In 2014, the wife of former worker Frank Zickert, who died of mesothelioma, sued 3M for providing defective face masks that didn’t prevent workers from inhaling asbestos fibers.

Zickert</Last Name>’s job involved making asbestos-containing fire doors and other products, and he relied on the mask to protect himself from the dangers of asbestos fibers.

According to the lawsuit, the masks didn’t work, ultimately leading to Zickert</Last Name>’s death.

“Frank’s job involved making asbestos fire doors with material similar to Kaylo that contained chrysotile amosite asbestos fibers, cleanup, and disposal of the waste and scrap from such doors. At certain times the mixing of asbestos fibers to make the cores for the fire doors was a part of the manufacturing process,” the lawsuit states.

Recent Legal Developments

• December 2021: A court of appeals upheld a $4 million verdict awarded to the surviving family of Warren Wright, who succumbed to mesothelioma after exposure in oil refineries. 3M settled before trial, while ExxonMobil proceeded and was held responsible for the verdict.
• June 2018: A Wisconsin court allowed a consolidated lawsuit to continue from two mesothelioma plaintiffs. They claimed that 3M’s respirators failed to protect them from asbestos exposure at a factory in Weyerhaeuser, Wisconsin, which manufactured fireproof doors with asbestos cores.
• February 2016: Just before the trial commenced, 3M settled four asbestos lawsuits filed by mesothelioma plaintiffs. These suits were brought by former workers at the same Weyerhaeuser factory.
• 2015: 3M was named in a lawsuit by a mesothelioma plaintiff exposed to asbestos through their products during his tenure in the U.S. Air Force.

Unlike many other companies faced with thousands of asbestos-related lawsuits, 3M never filed for bankruptcy and continues to face asbestos-related claims.

Who Was Exposed to Asbestos Through 3M?

Workers from various occupations were affected by 3M’s asbestos-containing products, as the company made a variety of things shipped worldwide.

The occupations most affected include:

• Drywall sanders
• 3M employees (manufacturers)
• Factory workers
• Mechanics
• Engineers
• Automobile manufacturers

Common 3M products that contained asbestos include caulking materials and adhesives. The company no longer uses asbestos in any of its products.

How To Seek Compensation After 3M Asbestos Exposure

If you or a family member worked for 3M, talk to your doctor about the possibility of asbestos exposure. If you used any of their products that contained asbestos, you are also at risk for illness.

An asbestos attorney can help you take legal action and seek compensation if you receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma or another asbestos illness.

You could be eligible to file a lawsuit to seek a settlement. Depending on the source of the asbestos, you might also qualify for a claim with an asbestos trust fund.

Additional Resources and Help for Asbestos Victims

If you or a loved one are suffering from mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, keep in mind that you may be eligible for a substantial amount of compensation. Don’t forget to fill out our form to get our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area. For additional assistance, contact us toll-free at 800-793-4540. 

What is the scale of 3M‘s global operations and sales today?

3M operates on a massive scale, with its headquarters situated in St. Paul, Minnesota. The company boasts a workforce of over 93,000 employees who contribute to its presence in 70 countries around the globe. This extensive reach ensures that 3M products are accessible in more than 200 nations. The company’s impressive operations have secured it a spot on the Fortune 500 list for over 65 consecutive years, underscoring its stable performance.

In terms of sales, 3M generates an astonishing $30 billion annually. Remarkably, over 60% of these sales originate from international markets, highlighting the company’s strong global influence. This strategic international presence not only bolsters their global footprint but also reinforces their position as a leading player in various industries worldwide.

Impact of Asbestos Exposure on Workers and Consumers

Asbestos exposure has serious health implications, particularly for those involved in the manufacturing and usage of certain industrial products. Employees who worked closely with these materials, especially over long periods, faced significant health risks. This extended contact heightens the likelihood of developing severe conditions like mesothelioma, a rare but aggressive form of cancer linked to asbestos fibers.

Health Risks for Employees:

• Chronic Exposure: Workers in production facilities where asbestos-containing products were made were exposed to airborne fibers on a daily basis, increasing their risk substantially.
• Occupational Hazard: The nature of their work meant that protective measures might not have been sufficient or properly enforced, leading to prolonged inhalation of toxic particles.

Risks to End Users:

• Product Usage: Consumers using these products in their homes or workplaces were also exposed, albeit often unknowingly, to asbestos.
• Secondary Exposure: Even minimal contact could pose health threats, especially when products deteriorated or were damaged, releasing fibers into the air.

Long-term Consequences

Both workers and end users faced not only immediate risks but also potential long-term health challenges, often manifesting decades later. This latency in asbestos-related diseases makes early detection and treatment challenging, underscoring the critical need for awareness and preventive measures in industries that once widely utilized asbestos.

How has 3M’s financial stability affected its handling of asbestos litigation?

3M‘s robust financial health has played a crucial role in its approach to asbestos litigation. While many companies in the industry have faced bankruptcy due to overwhelming legal battles, 3M has maintained its economic stability. This financial strength allows the company to manage its legal challenges directly through the courts, rather than resorting to bankruptcy or settlements outside the courtroom.

The advantage of financial resilience means 3M can allocate resources effectively to defend its position, engage in prolonged legal processes, and potentially minimize overall liabilities. This stability not only supports sustained defense efforts but also reassures stakeholders of the company’s enduring viability despite ongoing litigation.

Additionally, their financial robustness might enable strategic investment in compliance and risk management, further safeguarding against potential legal pitfalls in the future.

Why did 3M use asbestos fibers in its products?

3M incorporated asbestos fibers into its products due to the material’s exceptional qualities. Asbestos offers remarkable strength, enhances durability, and provides significant resistance to heat. These properties made it an attractive option for manufacturing robust and long-lasting items.

By utilizing asbestos, 3M sought to ensure their products could withstand various conditions, offering reliability and performance in demanding environments.