The Harbison-Walker Refractories Company used asbestos in fireproof materials for furnaces and boilers. Asbestos exposure led to thousands of lawsuits and expensive settlements. Halliburton, the parent company of Harbison-Walker, formed a multi-billion dollar asbestos trust to handle compensation for victims. About Harbison-Walker Harbison-Walker Refractory Company changed its name in 2015, becoming HarbisonWalker International. This most
Founded in 1866, H.K. Porter Inc. used asbestos to manufacture locomotives and their components, as well as other industrial machinery, equipment, tools, and parts. Because of that early use, the company faced several asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuits. The financial and legal burden of those lawsuits eventually led to bankruptcy and an asbestos trust fund. H.K.
Gold Bond and National Gypsum Company began making building materials in the 1920s, using asbestos in them for decades. Many people who worked with this brand of gypsum wallboard later became sick, and the company faced thousands of lawsuits as a result. About Gold Bond and National Gypsum Today, National Gypsum is the second-largest gypsum
General Electric (GE) is an enormous conglomerate corporation born from the inventions of Thomas Edison and with operations in a wide range of industries. Many of these have included asbestos, and the company has faced thousands of lawsuits over exposure. About the General Electric Company General Electric is a huge company with a long industrial
Rheumatrex (methotrexate) suppresses the immune system and is often used to treat autoimmune disorders. It shows promise as a chemotherapeutic agent for mesothelioma. More research is needed to determine how effective methotrexate may be for mesothelioma treatment and if it is safe to put patients at risk for more infections. What Is Methotrexate? Methotrexate is
Navelbine (vinorelbine) is a chemotherapy drug and cancer treatment. It slows tumor growth by preventing cancer cells from dividing. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Navelbine for treating certain non-small cell lung cancer cases but can be used with some mesothelioma patients. What Is Navelbine? Navelbine is the brand name of the medication
Onconase (ranpirnase) is a novel agent being tested as a treatment for mesothelioma and other uses. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved it for any use, but it may help manage mesothelioma. Rather than a potential cure, Onconase is an enzyme that stabilizes cancer cells and prevents tumor growth, slowing
Taxol (paclitaxel) is the brand name for a chemotherapy drug that is experimental for mesothelioma treatment. It has been in use for other purposes since its U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 1998. Researchers hope it will be useful in treating mesothelioma as part of a multi-modal approach, but initial studies have had
Gemzar (gemcitabine) is a chemotherapy drug that can be used to treat mesothelioma patients. It is currently approved to treat certain cases of ovarian, pancreatic, non-small cell lung, and breast cancers only, but research shows it may help mesothelioma patients when combined with other drugs. What Is Gemcitabine? Gemcitabine is the generic name of the
Adriamycin (doxorubicin) is a chemotherapy drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat several types of cancer, but not mesothelioma. Doctors may prescribe doxorubicin for mesothelioma patients, particularly in combination with other drugs. Doxorubicin has some serious risks and side effects, but it can help manage the disease. What Is Doxorubicin?