Transite

Transite is a brand name for asbestos-cement products, a hard, durable material made by mixing asbestos fibers into Portland cement. It was widely used for pipes, wall panels, lab countertops, roofing, and ductwork through much of the 20th century. The asbestos is bound in cement so the material is non-friable when intact, but cutting, drilling, or breaking it releases fibers.

Origin

Transite was a trademark introduced by the Johns-Manville company in the early 20th century for its asbestos-cement line. The name later became a common shorthand for asbestos-cement board and pipe made by various manufacturers.

Significance in Asbestos Context

If you worked with Transite, how you handled it shapes your exposure story, because the material only releases significant fiber when it's machined or broken. Plumbers, electricians, HVAC workers, laboratory workers, and building trades often cut or drilled Transite panels and pipe, generating asbestos dust at the point of work. Because Transite is a recognizable brand, naming it can support product identification, which is central to both lawsuits and trust claims. The type of asbestos used, often chrysotile but sometimes amphibole, can also matter for tracing the product and characterizing your exposure.

Example Sentence

The patient recalled cutting Transite pipe with a power saw on job sites, which the expert identified as a likely source of high fiber release.

Related Terms

Asbestos Cement, Chrysotile, Non-Friable Asbestos, Product Identification, Friable Asbestos, Johns-Manville

Notes

• Tell your attorney the specific product names you remember, since a recognizable brand like Transite strengthens product identification.
• Describe whether you cut, drilled, or sanded the material, since that is when non-friable asbestos cement releases fibers.
• Preserve any photos, job records, or building documents that show Transite was present at your work sites.