Gold Bond Tar Paper
Since the start of the 20th century, asbestos has been one of the most prized resources of the construction industry. It is a mineral that is found in natural settings that is strong, pliable and inexpensive to mine. Additionally, it is able to endure even the most extreme temperatures from any season and it is resistant to fire.
Tar Paper is used as a roofing material, and for years a company called National Gypsum produced a very popular line of this product under their Gold Bond brand name. Professional roofers and private citizens alike purchased this product to help weather proof homes and businesses. Those who helped install this roofing product were potentially at risk for developing a life threatening disease.
The popularity of asbestos soared during the 1950's and 60's, but by the following decade a sobering realization was made: asbestos is poisonous and can cause mesothelioma. It began to make people seriously ill, and some even developed this asbestos cancer called Mesothelioma (including pericardial mesothelioma). Use of this hazardous substance stopped, but by then thousands of people had been affected by items like Gold Bond Tar Paper. In fact, because there is no cure for mesothelioma, the number of mesothelioma survivors is quite low. Browse our mesothelioma resources section or mesothelioma treatment guide for more information.
National Gypsum continued to sell a variety of different products without this toxic mineral, but there may still be a large number of structures that contain the asbestos based tar paper. Any roof that was installed prior to 1980 could pose this threat, so if you are uncertain it is best to have your home or office inspected by a certified professional. No one should ever attempt to remove any roofing product that was made with asbestos. Doing so will put you at great risk. Instead, contact a company that is certified to remove and dispose of dangerous materials in a safe and environmentally sound manner and in accordance with mesothelioma prevention practices.
You may have already been afflicted by respiratory and cancerous diseases brought on by exposure to asbestos in roofing or other products. If so, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim against the manufacturer with the help of a mesothelioma attorney. Companies like National Gypsum have established trust funds to compensate people who were victimized by the construction materials they produced. We have put together an asbestos and mesothelioma cancer brochure that will inform you of your rights. Order your copy today - it is free of charge and ready to be sent to you right away.
