Asbestos in Power Plants

Boilers were lined and covered with asbestos block and cement. Miles of steam and water piping carried asbestos pipe covering. Turbines were insulated with asbestos blankets and cement, and valves and pumps used asbestos gaskets and packing. Electrical equipment, fireproofing and cooling tower components could contain asbestos too. Because this equipment operated at high temperatures, insulation was regularly damaged and replaced. That constant cycle of repair meant fresh fibers were released year after year, not just during initial construction. Control rooms and offices were usually cleaner, but workers moved through dusty areas every day.

During planned outages, plants shut down units for inspection and repair. Crews stripped old insulation to reach equipment, replaced gaskets and packing, and reinsulated when work was done. Many trades worked side by side in confined spaces, so even those who never touched insulation breathed the dust. Outage work often involved large numbers of contract workers brought in for weeks at a time. Workers describe dust hanging in the air and settling on clothing, which was then carried home. Some workers remember sweeping up insulation scraps at the end of shifts or eating lunch near work areas. Those details help describe how exposure happened.

Utility companies often kept detailed records of construction, maintenance and outages. Union hiring halls tracked which members were dispatched to which plants. Many power plants have been named in earlier asbestos cases, so lists of products used there may already exist from past litigation. Coworker testimony can fill in details about specific units and tasks. If you worked at a plant as a contractor, note both the plant name and the contracting company, since both may matter. Plant nicknames and unit numbers you remember can help investigators locate the right records. Even approximate outage dates are useful.

1. 1

   List every power plant where you worked, including unit names and approximate outage years.

2. 2

   Note the contractors or unions that dispatched you to each plant.

3. 3

   Write down tasks such as insulation removal, gasket replacement or turbine work.

4. 4

   Contact former coworkers who may remember specific insulation products used.