Texas Silica Plaintiff Moves to Declare 3M Respirators in Violation of Law

GALVESTON, Texas - A former sandblaster who developed silicosis despite wearing a 3M 8710 respirator while working around silica dust has asked a state court judge to declare that the device never met federal safety standards and was sold illegally for at least three years during the late 1970s. Boyer v. Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing, et al., No. 01-CV-0584 (Texas Dist. Ct., Galveston Cty.).

George Ray Boyer made the request in a partial motion for summary judgment filed recently in Galveston County District Court. Boyer sued 3M and several others claiming they were negligent in causing him to develop silicosis …