Asbestos Exposure in Power Plants
Power plant workers face numerous job-related dangers, including asbestos exposure that can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other serious illnesses decades later. The asbestos exposure attorneys at Sieben Polk P.A. have the knowledge, experience, and resources needed to investigate your case, determine who is liable for your asbestos-related illness, and help you fight for fair compensation. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
Asbestos exposure in power plants can lead to severe illnesses in workers, including lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. These illnesses often take decades to develop. As a result, workers exposed during the height of asbestos use between the 1930s and 1980s, as well as those tasked with removing asbestos products that remain in place today, are still at risk of receiving life-changing diagnosis.
Sieben Polk P.A. has helped personal injury victims and their families seek justice across Minnesota for over 50 years. Our mesothelioma attorneys for power plant workers are ready to investigate your case, determine who is liable for your illness, handle your settlement negotiations, and argue your case in court. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
Asbestos Exposure in Minnesota Power Plants
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral. It is also extremely resistant to high temperatures, fire, and corrosion. These properties made it very popular as an effective insulator for decades. It was used widely for this purpose in public and private sector construction, including in power plants.
Sadly, it wasn’t until the late 1970s that the serious health consequences of asbestos exposure became widely known. Asbestos removal projects gained steam in the 1980s, especially once the federal government and states such as Minnesota passed landmark asbestos abatement statutes.
However, by this time, it was too late for power plant workers who had already developed asbestos-related diseases. Folks who worked in environments containing asbestos faced high exposure rates, which meant they also faced an increased risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.
The mesothelioma attorneys at Sieben Polk P.A. help power plant workers hold asbestos manufacturers, suppliers, and power plant operators accountable for putting profits over people and ignoring the risks of asbestos exposure. Schedule your free consultation today to learn how we can help you fight for full and fair compensation.
How Was Asbestos Used in Power Plants?
The durability of asbestos made it very popular across industries, especially in settings involving a high risk of fire. Many power plants used asbestos products in their machinery and infrastructure because they could stand up to friction and heat. For example, they used asbestos materials to insulate things like turbines, boilers, chutes, and pipes. It was even used in floor and ceiling tiles.
The extensive use of asbestos in power plants is illustrated by the facts in a criminal prosecution brought against the owner of a now-defunct electrical power plant in Ohio. The plant contained seven decommissioned boilers connected by pipes, and the boiler room alone had nearly 224,000 square feet of asbestos-containing material installed! The owner pled guilty to knowingly failing to remove the asbestos.
Unfortunately, power plants in Minnesota and other parts of the Upper Midwest also used asbestos products extensively, and power plant workers exposed to these products are still getting sick to this day. If you worked in a power plant and developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, do not wait to consult with an attorney. Contact the experienced asbestos exposure attorneys at Sieben Polk P.A. today.
Which Power Plants in Minnesota Contained Asbestos?
Within Minnesota, asbestos was used in at least eleven nuclear-generating plants, nuclear power stations, and electric plants. Located across the state, these include:
- Allen S. King Generating Plant/Northern States Power Company – Bayport, Minn.
- Black Dog Generating Station/Northern States Power Company – Burnsville, Minn.
- Fox Lake Power Plant/Interstate Power and Light – Fox Lake, Minn.
- Granite City Generating Plant/Northern States Power Company – St. Cloud, Minn.
- High Bridge Generating Plant/Northern States Power Company – St. Paul, Minn.
- Luverne Power Station – Luverne, Minn.
- Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant/Northern States Power Company – Monticello, Minn.
- Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant/ Northern States Power Company – Red Wing, Minn.
- Riverside Generating Station/Northern States Power Company – Minneapolis, Minn.
- Rochester Public Utilities – Rochester, Minn.
- Sherburne County Generating Station/Sherco, Northern States Power Company – Becker, Minn.
If you worked at any of these power plants, you should seek medical attention and consult with an attorney. The nationally recognized asbestos legal team at Sieben Polk P.A. can help. We also have extensive experience handling asbestos cases involving non-power-generating industrial sites. For example, we have represented workers exposed to asbestos at:
If you were exposed to asbestos at a power plant, manufacturing facility, or other industrial site, do not hesitate to contact us today. We have what it takes to handle your case from start to finish.
Power Plant Workers at Risk of Asbestos Exposure
Some workers experienced higher occupational asbestos exposure in power plants because their specific jobs required them to handle more asbestos-containing materials. Historically, boilermakers, insulators, machinists, pipefitters, and welders were particularly at risk of asbestos exposure and suffering the associated health consequences.
Further, power plant asbestos exposure was often higher in confined spaces with low ventilation. Why? Because spaces like these tend to accumulate loose asbestos fibers, making it easier for workers to inhale them. When they do, the fine fibers become embedded in their lungs.
Even removing asbestos is dangerous. Workers tasked with removing asbestos during power plant cleanup efforts continue to face exposure risks today. Thankfully, asbestos removal regulations are now stricter, and workers have access to much better protective gear.
It is hard to say how many workers were unwittingly exposed to asbestos over the decades. Many have died from asbestos-related illnesses without ever exercising their right to seek compensation in court. If you lost a loved one due to asbestos exposure at a power plant, the wrongful death attorneys at Sieben Polk P.A. can help you fight for justice and accountability.
Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure for Power Plant Workers
One of the most severe asbestos-related diseases is an aggressive cancer known as mesothelioma, which can form on the inner lining of the chest and abdominal cavities. The vast majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to asbestos.
Power plant workers exposed to asbestos are also at risk of developing a respiratory illness known as asbestosis. This lung disease caused by workers inhaling asbestos fibers can result in scarred lung tissue, persistent dry coughs, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. Asbestos is also linked to cancer in the lungs, larynx, and ovaries.
If you or a loved one are struggling with an asbestos-related disease due to workplace exposure, our award-winning mesothelioma attorneys for power plant workers are here to help you file your lawsuit. Let the legal team at Sieben Polk P.A. get to work on your behalf
If You Were Exposed to Asbestos in a Midwest Power Plant, Sieben Polk Can Help
Decades later, power plant workers exposed to asbestos during the height of its popularity are still receiving asbestos-related diagnoses. If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma or another illness due to asbestos exposure at work, you deserve a skilled legal representative to help you hold responsible parties accountable.
Sieben Polk P.A. is committed to helping power plant workers in Minnesota, the Dakotas, Wisconsin, Iowa, and beyond defend their right to compensation after being exposed to asbestos at work. Our firm is nationally recognized but has deep local roots right here in the Midwest. We have the skills, resources, and experience needed to build a strong case on your behalf.
We work on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Call us today at 651-437-3148 or complete our online form to schedule your free case review.
- Asbestos Exposure in Minnesota Power Plants
- How Was Asbestos Used in Power Plants?
- Which Power Plants in Minnesota Contained Asbestos?
- Power Plant Workers at Risk of Asbestos Exposure
- Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure for Power Plant Workers
- If You Were Exposed to Asbestos in a Midwest Power Plant, Sieben Polk Can Help
