Three ISP Minerals Workers Sue 3M, MSA Over Silica Exposure

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Three former ceramics workers have sued 3M and Mine Safety Appliances Co., alleging that they developed silicosis despite wearing the companies' respiratory protection devices. Firebaugh v. 3M Co., No. 08-1161 ; Savage v. 3M Co., No. 08-1162; Scaggs v. 3M Co., No. 08-1163 (E.D. Mo.).

The lawsuits, filed Aug. 8 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri seek tens of millions of dollars in damages for 3M's and MSA's decision to place allegedly defective respirators and dust masks into the stream of commerce despite knowing they could not adequately protect users from inhaling …