Bagging Operator Blames Moldex Respirator for Causing Silicosis

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - A former bagging operator has sued Moldex-Metric for manufacturing an allegedly defective respirator he says is to blame for his development of silicosis. Walker v. Moldex-Metric Inc., No. 08-210 (E.D. Tenn.).

Julius Walker sued the Calif.-based Moldex on July 14 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, claiming that his use of the company's respirators failed to protect him from inhaling silica dust.

Walker says that the devices did not meet federal regulatory requirements certifying the equipment for use around free silica and that the company failed to perform internal quality control testing …