National Gypsum — Waukegan Gold Bond Wallboard Plant in Waukegan IL

Plaintiffs alleged in publicly filed U.S. asbestos personal-injury and wrongful-death litigation that they were exposed to asbestos while working at the National Gypsum Waukegan Gold Bond wallboard plant in Waukegan Illinois. For the full corporate summary, see the National Gypsum manufacturer page.

Plant Description and Operating Era

The National Gypsum Waukegan Gold Bond plant on the Lake Michigan shoreline in Lake County, Illinois, was one of the company’s Midwest wallboard and joint compound production sites. According to publicly filed asbestos litigation records, the Waukegan plant reportedly produced Gold Bond wallboard and joint compound to serve the Chicago-area and greater Midwest construction market during the U.S. asbestos era (approximately 1940s-1977, prior to the EPA ban on asbestos joint compound). Lakefront rail and marine access supported bulk gypsum receiving and finished-product distribution.

Premises ACM Narrative

At the National Gypsum Waukegan Gold Bond wallboard plant during the U.S. asbestos era (approximately 1940s-1977 — pre-EPA ban on asbestos joint compound):

  • Chrysotile-asbestos fiber receiving, weighing, and blending during Gold Bond asbestos joint compound and asbestos texturing compound production
  • Asbestos-fiber-and-gypsum wallboard production — asbestos was allegedly used as a reinforcement additive in specific Gold Bond wallboard grades
  • Asbestos joint compound (ready-mix and dry-mix) formulation, mixing, and packaging — Gold Bond was one of the largest U.S. asbestos joint compound producers
  • Asbestos texturing compound / spray-applied acoustical compound formulation
  • Product handling — asbestos-fiber bag opening, dumping, and dust exposure during joint-compound manufacturing
  • Shipping and warehousing — asbestos-containing bagged joint compound distributed throughout the Chicago-area and Midwest
  • Asbestos pipe covering on plant steam mains and utility piping
  • Asbestos-block hot-side lagging on gypsum calcining kettles and rotary calcining kilns
  • Asbestos-fabric expansion joints on calcining stack and duct systems
  • Asbestos sheet gaskets at plant boiler and process piping flanges
  • Asbestos sprayed fireproofing on structural steel (pre-1973 EPA ban)

Workers Exposed

  • Gold Bond joint compound mixing operators — asbestos-fiber weighing, blending, and mixing
  • Bag machine operators — asbestos joint compound bag filling and sealing
  • Wallboard machine operators
  • Lakefront dock and rail workers — handled bulk gypsum and asbestos-containing bagged product
  • HFIAW Insulators — on plant steam pipe covering
  • UA Pipefitters — flange bolt-up
  • IBB Boilermakers — calcining kettle and kiln refractory work
  • BAC Bricklayers — refractory relining
  • IBEW Electricians — switchgear and motor control
  • Millwrights — machine tool installation
  • Shipping and receiving — handled asbestos-containing bagged product

If You Worked at National Gypsum Waukegan

If you or a family member worked at the National Gypsum Waukegan Gold Bond wallboard plant in Waukegan Illinois — or any other National Gypsum Gold Bond site — and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related disease, you may have a legal claim.

The National Gypsum Company (NGC) Asbestos Settlement Trust provides compensation for Gold Bond asbestos-injury claims.

Free, confidential case evaluation: Speak with O’Brien Law Firm — (314) 936-2956