Top 5 Companies to Avoid that has Asbestos in their Products
Asbestos is a dangerous material used for decades in the construction industry. Asbestos exposure can lead to serious health problems like mesothelioma and lung cancer. Many companies still use asbestos in their products, which puts workers and consumers at risk. Be aware of these five companies that use asbestos in some of their products:
Armstrong World Industries
- Armstrong World Industries is a global building products manufacturer based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
- The company was formed when the former Armstrong World Industries acquired Tuftex and Universal Fiberglass in 1990. In addition to these two companies, Armstrong owns other brands, including Durock, Evercoat, and Basotect.
- Although their products are used worldwide, it is not without controversy: thousands of people have been exposed to asbestos from using these companies products. Not only do they manufacture products containing asbestos which has led to injuries or death, but they have also been accused of concealing the dangers of asbestos while at the same time encouraging its use in new homes.
Georgia-Pacific Corporation
Georgia-Pacific Corporation is a paper and pulp company based in Atlanta, Georgia. The company was founded on September 13, 1927, by Robert Brookings Smith and Charles Allen Munn as South Atlantic Paper Mills, with an initial investment of $2 million. It has since become one of the world’s largest building materials and paper product manufacturers.
Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Company
Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Company was one of the world’s largest manufacturers of asbestos products. The company is now defunct, but at its peak in the 1950s, Kaiser produced more than 300 million pounds of asbestos yearly. The company’s products were used in construction, automotive and industrial settings. In 1982, Kaiser paid a $37.5 million settlement to victims exposed to asbestos-containing materials manufactured by them or their subsidiaries.
The company also paid $1.5 million to settle a lawsuit over using asbestos-containing products to construct a nuclear power plant. Kaiser had previously been involved in several other lawsuits related to its use of this dangerous material.
National Gypsum Company
National Gypsum Company was founded in 1901 by Edward J. Berwind, who bought a small company in Nashville, Tennessee. At the time, it was called the National Fireproofing Company and specialized in spray-on fireproofing for steel structures. Over the next few decades, National Gypsum expanded into other areas and acquired several companies to become one of America’s largest “building materials” manufacturers. The company is still owned by the Berwind family today; however, their current focus is on wallboards—also known as drywall or gypsum board—and ceiling products such as acoustic tiles and other acoustical panels.
National Gypsum has been manufacturing these products for over 100 years now; however, there have been some changes along the way: In 2006, they sold off their Celotex subsidiary (another manufacturer of asbestos-containing products) because it wasn’t profitable enough anymore due to stricter regulations regarding use of toxic chemicals like asbestos during manufacturing processes; they also discontinued manufacture at that plant altogether after closing down operations there.
Owens Corning
Owens Corning is a manufacturer of insulation, roofing, and fiberglass materials. They have been sued by thousands of people exposed to asbestos through the company’s products. However, Owens Corning does not disclose the presence of asbestos in its products and therefore does not warn consumers about potential exposures from their products. Additionally, Owens Corning had used asbestos in some of its products for decades before it was banned by federal law in 1999.
When you purchase a product, it is important to know if there are any known health risks. One of those is asbestos, which can cause lung cancer in people exposed to it. Besides, suppose you or your loved ones have worked for these companies and been exposed to asbestos. In that case, you can seek help from a mesothelioma attorney who is experienced and understand asbestos cases.
Conclusion
The only way to avoid asbestos in your home is by knowing what products contain it. It’s not a secret that we still have thousands of products made with asbestos, which is why it’s so important to know what you’re buying and where it comes from. If you’re concerned about your health or the environment, then make sure to check out the list of companies above before purchasing anything new.
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