Bestwall Gypsum Company
Bestwall gypsum board was created by Beaver Products as a breakthrough product – the first gypsum wallboard. The product changed hands in 1928 when Beaver Products was bought by the CertainTeed Corporation. At the time, CertainTeed was the third-largest U.S. manufacturer and distributor of gypsum products, with a specialization in wall plaster and wallboard.
Bestwall grew to be so successful that stockholders in the late 1950s approved a spin-off company, Bestwall Gypsum Company. In addition to its signature gypsum wallboard, Bestwall manufactured other wall construction products. In 1965, Bestwall Gypsum was bought by Georgia-Pacific Corporation, a leading manufacturer of paper and related construction products.
Bestwall Asbestos Use
Like many manufacturers of its era, Bestwall Gypsum used asbestos in product manufacturing since the company’s founding. Asbestos fibers were incorporated into most of its products, including gypsum board and joint compounds, used to fill gaps between pieces of wallboard.
Throughout the years of the company’s asbestos use, executives were aware of its adverse effects. Executives at Bestwall Gypsum and Georgia-Pacific declined to disclose the negative information to employees or consumers. Asbestos was a major component of Bestwall Gypsum products until U.S. laws mandated its discontinuation in the 1970s.
Prior to that, employees who worked at Bestwall Gypsum/Georgia-Pacific may have encountered asbestos on a daily basis. Asbestos was used in the following capacities:
- Used to insulate factory machinery
- Used to make fireproof clothing
- Used to produce a wide variety of products and materials
Asbestos fibers were found in the air of company facilities because of its heavy concentration in the production process. Asbestos exposure placed Bestwall Gypsum employees at risk for developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Many customers were similarly affected when they used asbestos-laden products.
Litigation
Beginning in the 1980s, employees and customers who developed asbestos-related diseases could trace their exposure back to Bestwall Gypsum/Georgia-Pacific. Thousands of lawsuits were filed against Georgia-Pacific for its part in exposing workers and consumers to a carcinogen and concealing associated research. Between the mid-1980s and 2001, more than 230,000 asbestos-related claims were filed against Georgia-Pacific.
One well-known case was brought by Merlin Olsen, a pro football Hall of Fame player. Olsen, who acted on the hit television show “Little House on the Prairie” and was a color analyst for NFL games after he retired from football, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2009. He filed a lawsuit later that year. Georgia-Pacific and CertainTeed, in conjunction with Bestwall Gypsum, were among the nearly 30 named defendants. So were high-profile companies NBC and Twentieth Century Fox.
According to his suit, Olsen claimed he was first exposed to asbestos as a pre-teen when he performed manual labor after school. He said he used various products – known carcinogens – manufactured by the defendants. He claimed to have been exposed later in life, especially during his time working for NBC (as a broadcaster) and Twentieth Century Fox (as an actor).
The suit was not resolved by the time Olsen died in 2010. His lawsuit was reissued by his widow, Susan Olsen. It remains unresolved.
Resources for Chemical Plant Workers
People who worked in Bestwall Gypsum/Georgia-Pacific chemical plants prior to the 1980s may have experienced asbestos exposure. As a result, the development of an asbestos-related disease may be a concern for former workers. These illnesses can develop much later in life, so annual tests by a qualified physician are recommended. Should mesothelioma develop, precautionary actions could lead to an earlier diagnosis and more treatment options.
If you have already been diagnosed, a Patient Advocate can help you choose a doctor based on your specific needs. Our Doctor Match Program helps patients find experienced doctors to ensure they receive the best treatment available. To speak with a Patient Advocate, call (800) 615-2270. For more information about mesothelioma, complete the form on this page.
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© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center |
Last Modified Thursday, February 9th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Sponsored by a law firm concentrating in asbestos litigation, The Peterson Firm, LLP with offices at 1350 Connecticut Ave, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington DC 20036.
