Power plant workers are eight times more likely to die of mesothelioma than the general population. The risk is especially high for employees who worked in power plants before the 1990s, when asbestos was widely used for its heat-resistant and insulating properties.
Today, large numbers of power plant workers from that era are receiving mesothelioma diagnoses, as the cancer has a 20 to 60-year latency. As symptoms show up, daily life becomes harder, and medical expenses pile up.
Power plant workers with mesothelioma have the right to compensation. They can file lawsuits against the manufacturers and employers who knew of asbestos’s health risks, even if those companies have since gone bankrupt (thanks to asbestos trust funds).
In this guide to power plants and mesothelioma, you’ll learn why power plant workers are at such risk of mesothelioma and what action victims can take to gain compensation:
Why Power Plant Workers Face High Mesothelioma Risk
It’s believed that around 70,000 power plant workers die each year from asbestos exposure-related illnesses. But why is it one of the top industries at risk for asbestos exposure?
The answer is that, between the 1940s and 1980s, asbestos’s risks were overlooked as companies valued its heat- and fire-resistant properties.
Given the huge amounts of electricity power plants generate, there is always the possibility of fire. When these plants were constructed, the builders used asbestos-containing floor and ceiling tiles, pipe coverings, turbines, wiring, ducting, and walls to make them fire-resistant.
As long as the asbestos remained intact, it wasn’t a danger to power plant workers. However, these items were frequently damaged during routine operations of the power plants, releasing asbestos fibers into the air that could be easily inhaled and ingested. The poor ventilation only exacerbated the danger. That was a significant source of asbestos exposure for these workers.
It wasn’t until the 1980s that it began to be phased out, following EPA regulations. However, its presence can still be found in hundreds of power plants today.
The Effects of Cumulative Exposure
Some power plant workers with mesothelioma faced long-term exposure, which only made their condition worse. A German study assessed asbestos exposure among 7,775 power industry workers, calculating the cumulative exposure in fiber-years (the total fibers inhaled over time). The result was damning:
- Metalworkers had the highest mean cumulative exposure at 79 fiber-years.
- Power distribution workers average 2.5 fiber-years over 12 years (roughly 6% of the power generation group’s total).
Was Mesothelioma Caused by Asbestos or Nuclear Radiation?
A study conducted in 2019 found a significant excess of mesothelioma and asbestosis cases among 142,583 nuclear power plant workers in the U.S. The researchers concluded that asbestos exposure in nuclear power plants caused the cases of mesothelioma and asbestosis, not low-level radiation exposure.
High-Risk Exposure Areas in Power Plants
Asbestos was a major component in most power plant machinery. While it did protect from fire safety hazards, it created a health hazard because much of this asbestos-containing material was friable.
Friable vs Non-Friable Materials
The EPA defines non-friable asbestos-containing material (ACM) as any material containing more than 1% asbestos (per weight) that, when dry, cannot be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure.
It typically contains a binder or an additive that hardens it, such as cement, asphalt, or vinyl. However, non-friable asbestos-containing material is not without its problems. It has the potential for the same kind of hazard as friable asbestos during repairs.
Equipment and Machinery
Power plants’ turbines used asbestos insulation to withstand temperatures up to 1,000°F. Anyone working around the turbines during repairs would have been exposed to fibers.
Boilers also contained asbestos in fireproofing, refractory cements, and mudding compounds on the interior surface. Generators had asbestos windings, gaskets, and electrical insulation, while pumps and valves used asbestos for steam seals.
Finally, piping and electrical systems throughout power plants were rife with asbestos transite, millboard, and taping, which could have effectively exposed every department during maintenance.
Building Materials
Power plants also used asbestos in general construction. Asbestos-cement boards were used in battery rooms, while corrugated roofing was used throughout. Fireproof drywall, fire doors, floor tiles, and ceiling insulation would also have been present throughout.
Power plant operators often cut, saw, or sand asbestos-containing insulating materials for boilers and generators as part of maintenance, without protective equipment. This exposed them to additional fibers.
Power Plant Occupations with the Highest Exposure Risk
The power plant occupations that were likely to have been exposed most to asbestos were:
- Insulators
- Welders
- Boiler operators
- Pipefitters and mechanics
- Electricians
- Maintenance crews
- Firefighters
Although blue-collar trades had 10 to 100 times higher exposure than white-collar workers, bystander exposure was also present among those who may never have even directly handled materials. This wasn’t helped by the lack of effective exhaust systems in plants before the 1980s, sending fibers across the facility.
Health Risks and Symptoms of Power Plants and Mesothelioma
Diseases Caused By Asbestos in Power Plants
Mesothelioma is the most common and concerning health concern caused by asbestos. Ordinarily, it’s a rare cancer that affects the thin lining of the lungs, abdomen, and heart.
Its symptoms include chest pain, persistent cough, breathing difficulty, fluid buildup, weight loss, and fatigue. Sadly, its prognosis is poor, with a 5-year survival rate of just 12%. The median life expectancy is 18 months, though treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy can extend survival for early-stage cases.
Given the latency of mesothelioma, power plant workers will only see symptoms between 20 and 60 years after exposure.
Lung cancer is also a risk, especially in smokers (who are 50x more likely to get it). At the same time, asbestosis and pleural abnormalities are common too.
Secondary Exposure Risk to Families
Family members may also be victims of mesothelioma, as power plant workers could have unknowingly brought home fibers on their bodies and clothing.
Ohio Power Plant Workers and Asbestos Exposure
Ohio has the sixth-highest ranking for asbestos-related deaths in the U.S., and mesothelioma is present in 0.6 people per 100,000 residents.
This is likely due to the extensive power generation industry in Ohio, including:
- Avon Lake Generating Station
- Muskingum River Power Plant (Beverly)
- Kyger Creek Power Plant (Cheshire)
- WH Sammis Stratton Plant
- Ohio Valley Electric Corporation (OVEC) facilities
These locations are used extensively, with management knowing of the risks but failing to warn workers or provide respirators. Many negligence cases in Ohio have since been filed as a result.
Legal and Financial Compensation Options for Mesothelioma Power Plant Workers
Asbestos Trust Funds
Asbestos trust fund laws were set up in the 1980s to ensure that asbestos victims would still receive compensation even if negligent companies went bankrupt.
This means mesothelioma power plant workers can claim against their former employers and bankrupt manufacturers to get the money they deserve. Multiple trust claims can significantly boost the potential payouts.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
Power plants and manufacturers that are not bankrupt can also be sued for personal injuries. These target negligent companies that either employed power plant workers or sold products to power plants, while overlooking the associated risks.
These asbestos lawsuits can result in significant settlements that help families cover medical expenses, lost wages, and seek retribution for the pain and suffering endured.
Wrongful Death Claims
Surviving family members of power plant workers who have passed away with mesothelioma can file wrongful death claims. This can provide compensation for funeral and burial expenses, as well as damages for the loss of support and companionship.
Workers’ Compensation
Power plant workers’ compensation can also provide limited benefits, including medical coverage and a portion of lost wages. Note, you can pursue all these pathways at the same time, without any of them affecting the other.
Get a Free Legal Consultation for Your Asbestos Power Plant Exposure
If you or your family have suffered from asbestos exposure in a power plant, then we welcome you to contact our asbestos exposure attorneys today for a free consultation.
At Shrader & Associates, we specialize in providing nationwide support for those who have suffered from diseases such as mesothelioma due to negligent power plant companies and employers. Our understanding of the complexities of power plant cases enables us to advise you on your options and prove causation in mesothelioma cases.
We welcome you to a free consultation today by calling our asbestos exposure attorneys at 866-262-8170 or contacting us online here to get started.
FAQs on Mesothelioma in Power Plant Workers
Are power plant workers at high risk for mesothelioma?
Yes. Power plant workers are believed to be 8x more at risk of mesothelioma than the average American.
What power plants had asbestos exposure?
Virtually every major power plant across the country had asbestos exposure during the 1930s to 1980s.
Can family members get mesothelioma from power plant workers?
They can’t ‘catch’ it. It’s not contagious. But it’s very possible that fibers could have been brought home from the power plant, leading to exposure over a long period.
How long after power plant work does mesothelioma appear?
Mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 60 years.
Can I file a lawsuit if the power plant closed decades ago?
Yes. There are Asbestos Trust Funds set up to provide funds to bankrupt companies. You may also be able to file multi-defendant asbestos lawsuits.
When is the deadline for a mesothelioma lawsuit against a power plant?
The Statute of Limitations begins from when the diagnosis was given. Depending on the state, you may then have between 1 and 6 years.