Former Power Plant Workers at Risk for Mesothelioma Cancer

The use of asbestos-containing materials within power plants was a common occurrence throughout much of the 20th century. Before the 1980s, the insulating and fireproofing capability of asbestos is what made the mineral an ideal substance to use in a variety of ways.

Areas within power plants that may have contained these hazardous materials included floors, walls, pipes, valves, pumps and turbines. If any of these materials were damaged or replaced, microscopic asbestos fibers may have become airborne where they could be inhaled.

The effects of asbestos exposure are still being felt today as many former power plant workers are becoming diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions. Mesothelioma, a rare cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure, presents an average mesothelioma life expectancy of four to 18 months to most patients once diagnosed.

While a former power plant worker may have been exposed during the 1960s or 70s, the risk for developing mesothelioma is still an issue because symptoms may lay dormant for as long as 50 years. Previous power plant workers who suspect they may have encountered asbestos while on the job should seek regular medical checkups for signs of asbestos exposure.

Most power plant workers did not wear preventative equipment to protect them from asbestos. Some may have been completely unaware that asbestos presented any risk at all. As stated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there is no safe level of asbestos exposure and even a few inhaled fibers have the potential to cause mesothelioma later in life.

Today, the EPA enforces strict regulations on handling and working around asbestos in order to lower the risk of exposure. People currently working in industries that may be associated with asbestos exposure are now supplied with proper equipment to keep them safe.

Additional information about mesothelioma and asbestos exposure may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 29th, 2010 at 1:36 pm and is filed under Asbestos Exposure, Mesothelioma. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. Responses are currently closed, but you trackback from your own site.