Pilgrim Nuclear Generating Station
The Pilgrim Nuclear Generating Station is located in the historic town of Plymouth, Massachusetts. The plant was built in 1972 by Bechtel Power as part of Boston Edison and was sold in 1999 to Louisiana-based Entergy Corporation. Its General Electric boiling reactor can power about 550,000 homes. Pilgrim Nuclear is one of Plymouth’s largest businesses, employing about 650 people fulltime and up to 900 people contract workers.
A number of neighborhood watch groups have lobbed criticism at Pilgrim Nuclear, mostly because of dangers presented by an on-sight storage pool for used nuclear fuel. Critics are opposing the renewal of Pilgrim Nuclear Generating Station’s license, set to expire in 2012. One group, Pilgrim Watch, has filed lawsuits against Entergy on behalf of local townspeople, touting the dangers of storing the fuel near residential homes.
Pilgrim Nuclear Generating Station and Asbestos
Nuclear power stations generally cause concerns about radioactivity. Regular employees and contract workers within power plants, however, also faced the threat of asbestos exposure. For decades, asbestos was regularly used to insulate electrical wires, pipes and other equipment within power plants. The material was largely considered one of the best insulators, and its usage peaked between the 1940s and the 1970s. This posed a serious health concern for workers; when asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can become lodged in the lungs and often result in asbestosis or mesothelioma.
In 2008, Entergy Nuclear began plans to decommission the Pilgrim power plant, a project scheduled to be completed around 2050. Because asbestos was used extensively within the station, asbestos abatement will be a notable aspect of the decommissioning process. The removal is estimated to cost $4.3 million.
Pilgrim Nuclear Plant and Asbestos Litigation
The public was made aware of the many dangers of asbestos in the late 1970s, at which point the government began strictly regulating its use. This marked the beginning of Pilgrim Nuclear’s asbestos-related court battles. In 1988, for example, Boston Edison proposed a complete restart of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant. This proposal came under significant scrutiny and was brought before the Committee on Labor and Human Resources. Objections to the project stemmed from fears of radioactivity, but one representative brought to light the issue of asbestos. Peter Forman, a state representative, spoke about a previous asbestos abatement project at the plant. He was told by workers that the task was improperly carried out and that there was an unnecessary risk of exposure to the toxin.
Similar incidents have lead to a number of asbestos-related lawsuits against Pilgrim Nuclear, in conjunction with Bechtel and Boston Edison.
Resources for Power Plant Workers
If you worked at the Pilgrim Nuclear Generating Station, you should be concerned about asbestos exposure. The negative effects of asbestos inhalation are often not apparent until 20 to 50 years after exposure first occurs, so it is necessary to diligently monitor your health for early signs of any asbestos-related diseases. This should include regularly scheduled chest imaging and any other tests that can help detect the presence of mesothelioma.
The Patient Advocates at the Mesothelioma Center can help you locate a testing center near you. If results are positive, a Patient Advocate can also assist you in finding an experienced mesothelioma doctor who can plan your course of treatment. This is done through the unique Doctor Match Program. For information about testing or finding a doctor in your area, call (800) 615-2270 or complete the form on this page.
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Last Modified Thursday, February 9th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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