National Gypsum Company, headquartered in Buffalo, New York, was one of the major manufacturers of asbestos-containing building products in the United States, selling asbestos-containing wallboard, ceiling tile, building insulation, and related products under the Gold Bond brand name. National Gypsum’s Gold Bond asbestos-containing building products appeared in US Navy shore installation construction — barracks, administration buildings, hangars — and in the accommodation and working space construction of Navy ships during the WWII and Cold War construction periods when asbestos-containing building materials were standard in US construction.

Gold Bond Asbestos Building Products in Navy Applications

National Gypsum manufactured several asbestos-containing product lines:

  • Asbestos-containing ceiling tile — National Gypsum Gold Bond ceiling tile products used asbestos fiber as a component of the tile’s fire resistance and acoustic properties. These ceiling tiles were installed in Navy barracks, administration buildings, and ship accommodation spaces throughout the WWII and Cold War construction periods
  • Asbestos-containing wallboard — Gold Bond asbestos-containing wallboard used in interior wall construction of Navy buildings and in ship interior partition construction contained asbestos fiber in the wallboard core material. Cutting and installation of the wallboard during construction and renovation work released asbestos dust from the cut board faces
  • Building insulation products — National Gypsum manufactured asbestos-containing building insulation and joint compound products used in the construction and renovation of Navy shore installation buildings during the WWII and Cold War construction periods
  • Asbestos removal exposure — renovation and demolition work on older Navy buildings containing Gold Bond and other brand asbestos-containing ceiling tile, wallboard, and insulation materials exposed maintenance workers and construction personnel to asbestos dust from the disturbed building materials

VA Claims for Veterans Exposed to National Gypsum (Gold Bond) Products

VA evaluates asbestos-related disability claims on a case-by-case basis. Veterans generally need evidence of in-service asbestos exposure, a current asbestos-related diagnosis, and a medical link between them. Veterans who performed building maintenance or construction work on National Gypsum and other brand asbestos-containing building materials at Navy installations and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.