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Manufacturing

National Gypsum Gold Bond Plant

National Gypsum Gold Bond Plant

National Gypsum Gold Bond Plant National Gypsum's Gold Bond Building Products division in Buffalo manufactured asbestos-containing joint compound, fireproofing, and acoustical products used in millions of buildings across America. Because this was a manufacturing plant, production workers handled raw asbestos directly — weighing, mixing, and bagging it — and breathed the dust it raised every working day.

Last verified: 2026-06-28
Medical review
Dr. Marcelo C. DaSilva Medically reviewed by , Senior Medical Reviewer Reviewed the clinical content for accuracy. Independent, compensation-disclosed medical reviewer.
Legal & editorial
Written by Paul Danziger, J.D. · Edited by Rod De Llano, J.D. · Legally reviewed by Michelle Whitman (affiliated firm)
Editorial Policy & Advisory Board
Location
Buffalo, NY
Industry
Gypsum & Building Materials Manufacturing
Exposure Era
1930s–1970s
Primary Asbestos Products
Gold Bond joint compound, Asbestos-containing wallboard and drywall, Acoustical and ceiling tiles, Spray-applied fireproofing, Texturing and finishing products, Asbestos-containing plasters
Job Categories at Risk
Production workers, Mixing and batch operators, Baggers and packaging workers, Machine operators, Material handlers, Forklift and warehouse workers, Maintenance mechanics, Millwrights, Quality-control workers, Laborers

History & Asbestos Use

National Gypsum Company was founded in Buffalo, New York in 1925 and grew into one of the largest gypsum and building-products manufacturers in the United States under its Gold Bond brand. The company's products, including joint compound and fireproofing, contained asbestos for decades, and Gold Bond joint compound became one of the most widely used asbestos-containing products in residential construction. National Gypsum filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1990 due to asbestos liabilities and established a trust to compensate victims.

Exposure Details

Unlike a refinery or power plant, where asbestos was insulation, this was a plant that made asbestos products — so production workers handled the raw fiber as a daily raw material. Workers received, weighed, and emptied bags of raw asbestos into mixers, blended it into joint compound, fireproofing, plaster, and acoustical formulations, and ran the finished material through forming, drying, and packaging lines. Dry mixing and bagging were especially dusty: pouring and blending dry asbestos-bearing powder raised heavy clouds of airborne fiber that filled the production areas, and machine operators, baggers, material handlers, and the maintenance crews who cleaned and serviced the dusty equipment all breathed it. Downstream users — drywall finishers, plasterers, and construction workers — were exposed again when mixing and sanding Gold Bond products on jobsites, and fibers carried home on plant workers' clothing exposed their families through take-home (secondary) exposure.

Workers at Risk

The following job categories at National Gypsum Gold Bond Plant had the highest risk of asbestos exposure:

  • Production workers
  • Mixing and batch operators
  • Baggers and packaging workers
  • Machine operators
  • Material handlers
  • Forklift and warehouse workers
  • Maintenance mechanics
  • Millwrights
  • Quality-control workers
  • Laborers

Health Effects

Former National Gypsum production workers, and the many construction tradespeople who used Gold Bond products, have experienced elevated rates of mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, and asbestosis. Because these diseases typically appear 20 to 50 years after first exposure, workers from the peak asbestos era are still being diagnosed today, and family members exposed to take-home fiber have developed mesothelioma as well. A diagnosis is not the worker's fault: National Gypsum and the suppliers of the raw asbestos knew the hazards, and a bankruptcy trust has since been established to compensate those harmed.

Health information is based on established medical research on asbestos exposure. Asbestos is classified as a known human carcinogen by the National Cancer Institute, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Consult a physician for medical advice specific to your situation.

Compensation May Be Available

Workers exposed to asbestos at National Gypsum Gold Bond Plant may be entitled to compensation through asbestos trust funds, personal injury lawsuits, or veterans benefits. Mesothelioma patients and their families have recovered billions in compensation from companies that manufactured or used asbestos products.

1 asbestos trust fund have been identified as potentially related to exposure at this site. Many mesothelioma patients qualify to file claims with multiple trusts simultaneously.

Find Out If You Qualify

Were You Exposed to Asbestos at National Gypsum Gold Bond Plant?

Workers who were employed at National Gypsum Gold Bond Plant between 1930s–1970s may have been exposed to asbestos-containing materials. If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may have legal options including trust fund claims and lawsuits.

Speak with an Attorney — Free Request a Free Case Evaluation

Related Asbestos Trust Funds

Workers exposed to asbestos at National Gypsum Gold Bond Plant may be eligible to file claims with the following trust funds:

Treatment Centers in New York

If you were exposed to asbestos at National Gypsum Gold Bond Plant and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, these specialized treatment centers in New York may be able to help.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

New York, NY

Comprehensive Cancer Center
View Full Profile
Mount Sinai Health System

Mount Sinai Health System

New York, NY

Cancer Center
View Full Profile
NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center

NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center

New York, NY

Comprehensive Cancer Center
View Full Profile
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Buffalo, NY

Comprehensive Cancer Center
View Full Profile

Browse all treatment centers →

Frequently Asked Questions

Was asbestos used at the National Gypsum Gold Bond plant in Buffalo?

Yes. The plant manufactured asbestos-containing joint compound, wallboard, acoustical and ceiling tiles, spray fireproofing, texturing products, and plasters. Production workers handled raw asbestos fiber directly during mixing, forming, and packaging until the late 1970s.

What was Gold Bond joint compound?

Gold Bond was National Gypsum's flagship brand of joint compound used to finish drywall seams. Many Gold Bond formulations contained asbestos until the late 1970s and were used in millions of residential and commercial buildings.

How were production workers at the Buffalo plant exposed to asbestos?

Because this was a manufacturing plant, workers handled raw asbestos as a daily raw material — receiving, weighing, and emptying bags of fiber into mixers, blending it into joint compound and fireproofing, and running the material through forming and packaging lines. Dry mixing and bagging raised heavy clouds of asbestos dust that exposed operators, baggers, material handlers, and maintenance crews alike.

Who else was exposed to Gold Bond asbestos products?

Beyond plant workers, the vast number of drywall finishers, plasterers, and construction workers who mixed, applied, and sanded Gold Bond joint compound and other products on jobsites were heavily exposed, and homeowners could be exposed during later renovations.

Could family members of National Gypsum workers be exposed to asbestos?

Yes. Fibers settled on production workers' clothing, hair, and tools and were carried home, where spouses and children could inhale them while greeting workers or laundering work clothes. This take-home (secondary) exposure has caused mesothelioma in family members who never entered the plant.

Is there a National Gypsum asbestos trust?

Yes. The National Gypsum Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust was established following the company's 1990 bankruptcy to compensate individuals harmed by exposure to National Gypsum's asbestos-containing products. Mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases can appear 20 to 50 years after exposure, so claims continue to be filed today.

Can National Gypsum workers or their families file an asbestos claim?

Often, yes. Former production workers and product users diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis — and the families of workers who have died — may be eligible for compensation through the National Gypsum trust and claims against other responsible manufacturers. Eligibility and deadlines depend on the diagnosis and state, so a no-cost review by a mesothelioma attorney is worthwhile.

Get a Free Case Evaluation

If you or a loved one worked at National Gypsum Gold Bond Plant and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, our attorneys can help you explore your legal options. There is no cost, no pressure, and no obligation.

Free & Confidential No upfront costs, no hidden fees. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation.
Nationwide Representation Licensed to handle mesothelioma cases in all 50 states from our Houston office.
Over 25 Years of Experience Our attorneys have recovered over $2 billion for mesothelioma patients and families.
Fast Results Trust fund claims can resolve in as few as 90 days. We move quickly for our clients.

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Sources:

  • National Gypsum bankruptcy filings — accessed 2026-06-28
  • OSHA compliance records — accessed 2026-06-28
  • Product liability litigation documents — accessed 2026-06-28
  • EPA records — accessed 2026-06-28
← All Exposure Sites in New York ← All Exposure Sites
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