In defending asbestos cases asbestos companies often argue that they were unaware of the dangers of asbestos and when they finally found out they acted responsibly.  Of course in many cases this assertion is a fiction as made clear in the letter from Bendix (manufacturer of asbestos brakes) Johns  Manville where the Bendix executive states  My answer to the problem is that if you have made a good life while working with asbestos "why not die from it"

Click on the attached link to read  the evidence for yourself. http://www.mesotheliomalegalblog.com/mesothelioma-litigation/pdf/bendix%20-%2000004290.pdf