(a) The limitations contained in Code Section 51-15-4 apply to a domestic or foreign corporation that is a successor and became a successor before January 1, 1972, or is any of that successor corporation's successor corporation.
(b) The limitations contained in Code Section 51-15-4 do not apply to:
(1) Any claim against a corporation that does not constitute a successor asbestos related liability;
(2) An insurance corporation;
(3) Any obligations under the federal National Labor Relations Act or under any collective bargaining agreement; or
(4) A successor that, after a merger or consolidation, continued in the business of mining asbestos, in the business of selling or distributing asbestos fibers, or in the business of manufacturing, distributing, removing, or installing asbestos-containing products that were the same or substantially the same as those products previously manufactured, distributed, removed, or installed by the transferor.