01.石棉在电厂使用
How Was Asbestos Used at Power Plants?
在1980年代之前,在发电厂经常使用含石棉的材料。电厂机械面对高压和温度。Asbestoswas added to machinery to increase durability and heat resistance.
Asbestos was also a commonfireproofing material。To fireproof the equipment,石棉绝缘衬里的机器和管道。
Power plant workers came into contact with asbestos insulation and other asbestos products while performing equipment maintenance and repairs. For example, workers would cut through insulation to fit it to the equipment. This often released asbestos fibers into the air.
Frequent exposure to asbestos products put power plant workers in danger. As a result of the exposure, many workersdevelop an asbestos-related illness later in life。
Most asbestos products are discontinued in the U.S. However, old asbestos-containing materials may still be present at power plants and other jobsites.
Understanding what products may contain asbestos can help workers reduce their risk ofasbestos exposure。
02. Notable Power Plants
使用石棉的著名发电厂
Power plants across the U.S. often used asbestos products in their machinery. These power plants contractedasbestos companiesto install insulation and other asbestos-containing materials.
The use of asbestos by power plants across the country exposed many individuals to asbestos. Some power plants continue removing asbestos from their facilities today.
洛杉矶水与电力部
The Lost Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is the largest municipal utility in the U.S. The facility serves more than four million California residents and has approximately 9,400 employees.
2008年,美国环境保护署(EPA)罚款LADWP $ 9,030,用于拆除含石棉的结构,而无需通知该机构。石棉法规要求在拆除之前通知EPA。
Due to the lack of EPA notification, asbestos was not completely removed from the building before demolition. The demolition may have released asbestos fibers into the air and put the public at risk.
Prior to demolition, asbestos-containing materials at LADWP facilities also put workers at risk of asbestos exposure for years. As a result, the LADWP has been named in many asbestos lawsuits by former workers and their family members.
As part of the Clean Grid L.A. initiative, the LADWP recently hired contractors to remove asbestos at four decommissioned generating units. Despite recent remediation efforts, machinery at the LADWP may still contain asbestos.
太平洋天然气公司(PG&E)
太平洋天然气和电力公司(PG&E)为数百万加州家庭提供天然气和电力。PG&E总部位于旧金山,但有几个发电厂的位置。
众所周知,该公司在其发电厂使用了石棉隔热材料,涡轮机,锅炉和其他石棉产品。
Former employees said airborne asbestos and other particles were frequently blowing in the air at PG&E plants. Workers also had to work in tight quarters, which often causes high concentrations of asbestos dust. They were also not provided with safety equipment.
Many PG&E workers developed asbestos-related diseases from working at the facilities. PG&E has faced numerous lawsuits stemming from work conditions, including asbestos lawsuits. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2001 and again in 2019.
Sometimes, as a result of bankruptcy, asbestos companies will begin a trust fund to pay victims. PG&E does not have an石棉信托基金, but the company has set up trust funds to pay other non-asbestos claims.
Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station
Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station was constructed in 1972 byBechtel Corporation。At the time, the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station was the only nuclear power plant operating in Massachusetts. The power plant supplied power to Massachusetts homes for four decades.
构造时,在发电厂仍在使用含石棉的材料。Bechtel Corporation还是石棉产品的著名用户。
In 2019, the power plant was decommissioned due to financial concerns. Asbestos abatement at Pilgrim will occur as part of the decommissioning process. However, workers at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant may have experienced asbestos exposure in the past.
Other Power Plants That Caused Exposure
Other U.S. power plant companies with known occupational exposure include those listed below by state.
03. Who Is at Risk?
Who Is at Risk of Exposure at Power Plants?
Power plant workers risked职业石棉暴露从与机械接触。发电厂机械使用石棉产品保护设备免受高火的影响。
According toa study of German power plant workers, metalworkers were at a particularly high risk of asbestos exposure. Metalworkers consistently work in high heat environments and may have used asbestos products for protection from hot machinery.
A variety of workers also risked asbestos exposure while performing machine maintenance and repairs. These tasks could disturb asbestos insulation. As the machinery aged, equipment wear and tear also disturbed asbestos.
如果石棉受到干扰,纤维可能会变成空中,可以被工人摄入或吸入。频繁的石棉暴露会增加开发的风险asbestos-related disease, 例如万博专业版。但是,没有数量的石棉暴露是安全的。
Power plant workers wear heat-resistant clothing to protect themselves while on the jobsite. In the past, this protective clothing was often made with asbestos. Asbestos-containing protective clothing may include:
- 围裙
- Coats
- 手套
- Masks
- Pants
石棉服装允许员工来处理hot machinery and prevented gear from catching on fire. However, the clothing released asbestos fibers putting workers at risk of exposure.
Secondary Asbestos Exposure From Power Plants
It was also common for workers to bring home asbestos dust on their clothing. This caused family members to experience次要石棉暴露。
Often, power plant workers and their families were unaware asbestos exposure had occurred. Many individuals only learned of their exposure after an asbestos-related diagnosis.
Occupational asbestos exposure and secondary exposure continue to put individuals at risk of developing malignant mesothelioma,lung canceror石棉病, among other illnesses.
04. Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos Lawsuits and Compensation
Power plant workers who developed an asbestos-related disease from occupational exposure may seekfinancial compensation。Individuals diagnosed with an illness from secondary exposure can also seek compensation.
An individual may seek compensation through an石棉诉讼。成功的诉讼导致settlement或负责公司和团体的判决。
Many mesothelioma lawsuits have resulted in successful verdicts and settlements for power plant workers and their loved ones.
In addition to filing a lawsuit, some individuals may qualify for an asbestos trust fund claim. Companies have asbestos trust funds to compensate victims of asbestos exposure. These companies commonly set up the trusts due to involvement in many asbestos-related lawsuits.
Power plant workers with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease can connect with a lawyer to learn about all their options. For example, somelaw firms提供免费咨询。这些会议可以帮助个人熟悉法律程序。
An experiencedmesothelioma lawyer了解石棉在发电厂使用的历史。他们可以帮助个人确定最有益的进行方法。