Opinion ID: 548350
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Products of Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc.

Text: 50 John Helmbold, a pipe coverer, testified that from 1964 to 1980 he was regularly assigned to the tire building. He testified that he had used Eagle-Picher 66 asbestos cement to insulate pipes in the curing areas, the cafeteria, and on piping leading to the plastic calendar. Helmbold was unable to pinpoint exactly when he used the Eagle-Picher cement in the curing area, how much he used, or who was present when he used it. He testified that no one was present on other occasions when he used the cement. He used other manufacturers' cements more often than he used the Eagle-Picher product. 51 Sterling Haydt testified that he had seen Eagle-Picher cement in the plant between 1960 and 1980. He never used it himself and did not identify any of the plaintiffs as having used the cement or as having been present during its use. 52 Ralph Minotto, a pipefitter, recalled that One-Cote Cement, an Eagle-Picher product, was used to finish joints in the late 1960's. Mr. Minotto did not testify that he used the cement and did not connect the product's use with any of the plaintiffs. 53 Anthony Panfile, another pipefitter, testified that Hylo pipe covering, another Eagle-Picher product, was used between 1947 and 1960. Mr. Panfile could not recall where this covering had been used and none of his testimony connected this product with the plaintiffs. 54 Nicholas S. Saccomanno, the plants' sole pipe coverer in 1963 and 1964, was permanently assigned to the chemical plant in 1964. He assisted in the tire building approximately six times a year for six years. Saccomanno stated in his deposition that Eagle-Picher 66 cement and other cements were in the tire and chemical plants from 1966 through 1970. Saccomanno testified to the specific use of Eagle-Picher cement only on the fittings to tire curing stands in the pot heater basement over 3 to 4 months in the 1963-1964 period. 55 Eagle-Picher's Response--The product identification testimony established no more than the mere presence of unquantifiable amounts of Eagle-Picher products. The testimony did not show where any Eagle-Picher product was installed in relation to any plaintiff, how often Eagle-Picher products were used in relation to the numerous other thermal insulation products used at Firestone, whether the products contained asbestos, when any Eagle-Picher thermal insulation products may have been damaged, repaired or removed, or whether any plaintiff was exposed to any dust from these products over a significant period of time. 56