Power Plant Asbestos Risk
An elevated incidence of asbestos-related deaths have been documented in the power industry, where for many years employees worked with asbestos hazards without safety protection.
Asbestos-related deaths have been documented internationally in the power industry. According to the British Journal of Industrial Medicine, studies of asbestos insulation workers show a “higher than expected death rate due to malignant mesothelioma.”
One of the study’s subjects was a former worker of a power plant. The study concludes that even minimal exposure experienced by neighborhood or household members “may induce malignant mesothelioma.”
The study notes that the increased exposure to asbestos make many of the studied occupations at “high-risk” of later developing asbestos-associated diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
A recent asbestos study published by the Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology concluded a vast number of employees in the power generation industry have been affected.
The study says exposure to asbestos in certain power plant occupations put workers at a high risk for developing asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. The following positions in the power industry may lead to a higher risk of exposure:
- Insulators
- Welders
- Maintenance Crews
- Boiler operators
- Pipefitters & Plumbers
- Machinists
- Mechanics
- Electricians
- Firefighters
Asbestos Materials Used in Power Plants
- Fire-resistant clothing—gloves, aprons, masks
- Thermal insulation
- Fireproofing
- Electric cable insulation
- Electrical cloth
- Fire blankets
- Mesh blankets
- Pipe coverings
- Welder’s blankets
- Gaskets
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has stated that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Brief exposure can lead to serious illness. Plant workers exposed to asbestos fibers may develop scarring in the tissue surrounding the lungs.
This commonly leads to conditions such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Asbestos-related illnesses may take up to 40 years to cause noticeable symptoms, so any former worker of a Kentucky power plant should remain vigilant of any change in overall health. Mesothelioma causes signs and symptoms that may include:
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Painful coughing
- Trouble breathing
- Trouble swallowing
- Unusual lumps of tissue under the skin on chest
- Unexplained weight loss
Nearly any worker in a power plant could be at risk of developing serious health issues, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
Asbestos Cancer Settlements
Ohio ranks in the top ten states for asbestos-related deaths. Many of the victims develop deadly cancers such as mesothelioma decades after exposure at the workplace.
Lawyers claim many utility corporations like American Electric Power knew about the potential deadly effects of asbestos exposure, and they failed to warn employees about the dangers, or provide proper safety equipment.
In one high-profile case in 2007, a former power plant worker who developed mesothelioma filed a lawsuit against Con Edison, Treadwell Corporation and other corporations. His attorneys claimed he was never informed of any asbestos hazard or given protective gear. The court found several companies negligent.
Power Plant Lung Cancer
The large number of power plants operating in Ohio and Kentucky is a concern for surrounding communities and employees. Lawyers claim power plant management knew about the deadly risks of asbestos exposure, and still failed to warn employees or provide proper safety equipment.
As a result, former employees in Kentucky and Ohio are filing claims against employers. Any person exposed to asbestos and injured at a power plant can seek compensation for a related medical issue.
