USG (United States Gypsum)

United States Gypsum Company (USG), founded in 1902, became the dominant American manufacturer of gypsum-based building products and one of the largest building materials companies in the world. USG is best known as the maker of Sheetrock brand drywall and joint compound, products that became synonymous with modern interior construction. Unfortunately, several of USG's most widely used products contained asbestos during the mid-twentieth century, exposing millions of construction workers and building occupants to hazardous fibers.

USG's asbestos-containing product line centered on three major categories: ceiling tiles, joint compound, and specialty coatings. USG ceiling tiles manufactured between 1967 and 1976 contained asbestos, with some evidence suggesting asbestos use may have continued until 1981. These tiles were installed in suspended ceiling systems in offices, schools, hospitals, and other commercial buildings across the country. The Sheetrock brand joint compound, used to finish drywall seams and joints, contained asbestos in formulations produced during the 1960s and 1970s. This product was particularly hazardous because joint compound is routinely sanded smooth after application, creating airborne dust laden with asbestos fibers.

USG's Texolite brand paint products also contained asbestos. Texolite was a textured paint and coating product line used to create decorative and acoustic finishes on walls and ceilings. When applied by spray or roller, Texolite products generated airborne particles, and when later removed by scraping or sanding, they released asbestos fibers. The combination of asbestos in both the joint compound and the paint coating meant that drywall finishing workers -- tapers, mudders, and sanders -- faced double exposure from USG products.

The scale of USG's market presence amplified the public health impact. As the maker of the most recognized drywall brand in America, USG products were present in virtually every new building constructed during the mid-twentieth century. The Sheetrock name became a generic term for drywall itself, and USG joint compound was the default choice for millions of drywall contractors. This ubiquity meant that asbestos exposure from USG products was correspondingly widespread.

USG filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2001, citing asbestos liabilities as a significant factor. The USG Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust was established to process and pay claims from individuals who developed asbestos-related diseases from exposure to USG products. USG was later acquired by Knauf, a German building materials company, in 2019. The Sheetrock brand continues in use today, with all current products being asbestos-free.