Vermont Yankee Power Plant
Vermont Yankee Power Plant is one of the oldest nuclear power plants in the United States. Located in Vernon, Vermont, the 40-year-old plant produces more than one-third of the state’s electricity and employs 650 local residents. Vermont Yankee uses a General Electric boiling water-type reactor, which was upgraded in 2006 to generate more electrical power. Entergy Nuclear of Louisiana bought Vermont Yankee in 2002.
Vermont Yankee has had a number of accidents. In 2010, for example, the plant leaked tritium and other radioactive isotopes into the surrounding environment. At first, the tritium in the groundwater registered below a dangerous level. Less than a month later, the level eclipsed the federal limit and continued rising.
Such problems have led local government officials to evaluate the plant’s operating capabilities. In February 2010, the Vermont Senate voted against re-licensing Vermont Yankee, setting the stage for a plant shutdown when its license expires in 2012. However, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission overturned the decision in March 2011 and renewed the plant’s license for another 20 years. Vermont has not yet granted a state permit for operation.
Vermont Yankee Power Plant and Asbestos
In addition to the concerns of those who live near power plants, employees have become concerned about personal exposure to toxins. Asbestos use within nuclear power plants is a central concern. This is especially true in old plants like Vermont Yankee, where materials can be worn or damaged. When asbestos is in particularly poor condition, it releases fibers into the air. Once inhaled, the fibers can become lodged in the lining of the lungs or abdomen and can cause scarring and, in some cases, cancer. For several decades, plants like Vermont Yankee used asbestos to insulate pipes, wires, generators, boilers and a host of other equipment.
The excessive use of asbestos became an issue in 2007 when one of the plant’s cooling towers collapsed. The collapse saturated the nearby banks of the Connecticut River with asbestos, plastic, rotting wood and thousands of gallons of contaminated water.
Vermont Yankee Power Plant and Asbestos Litigation
Dangers of asbestos weren’t publicly known until the late 1970s, at which point the U.S. government began mandating its use. Evidence shows, however, that executives in the industry had known the toxic effects for decades. Given this negligence, many power plant workers have chosen to file lawsuits against companies like Entergy.
Because of the long latency period of mesothelioma and asbestosis, most asbestos-related illnesses caused by Vermont Yankee are probably forthcoming. While Entergy has defended numerous asbestos claims, Vermont Yankee has not been named in a significant number of lawsuits.
Resources for Power Plant Workers
If you worked at a power plant like Vermont Yankee, you may have been exposed to asbestos. Patient Advocates at the Mesothelioma Center can connect you to some of the best medical experts in the country, all well-versed in the treatment of asbestos-related illnesses. The Doctor Match Program can assist you in finding a doctor close to your home. For more information, call a Patient Advocate at (800) 615-2270.
-
05/24/2012 -
One of the biggest asbestos-abatement jobs ever done in Buffalo, New York, is being handled now by a local company with a history of asbestos-related ..
-
05/23/2012 -
A new class of anti-cancer drugs is nearing the clinical trial phase and may eventually be available for treatment of aggressive diseases like pancrea ..
-
05/23/2012 -
School districts all across America have been wrestling in recent years with the task of removing and disposing of toxic asbestos from older buildings ..
© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center |
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.
Sponsored by a law firm concentrating in asbestos litigation, The Peterson Firm, LLP with offices at 1350 Connecticut Ave, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington DC 20036.
