Throughout the majority of the 20th century, power plants were a common location for asbestos exposure. Before the 1980s, asbestos was considered an ideal material due to its insulating properties and ability to withstand high temperatures.
Areas within power plants that often contained the hazardous substance included floors, walls, pipes, cables, valves, pumps and turbines. If these materials were damaged or disturbed at any time, either because of age or use, they may have released microscopic asbestos fibers into the air where they could be inhaled.
The effects of using asbestos are still being felt today as many past power plant workers are being diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases such as malignant mesothelioma, a rare cancer almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos.
Even though a former power plant worker may have been exposed to asbestos during the 1960s or 70s, there is still a risk for developing mesothelioma because symptoms can lay dormant for up to 50 years. Previous power plant workers who suspect they may have been exposed to asbestos should seek routine medical checkups for signs of asbestos exposure.
Receiving an early diagnosis and treating mesothelioma during the beginning stages of development is crucial in order to experience positive results from treatment. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed when the cancer has already reached stage 3 or 4, when the cancer has spread and curative treatment options are typically less effective.
In many cases, power plant workers did not have access to preventative equipment to protect them from exposure. Others were completely unaware that exposure to asbestos carried any risk at all. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there is no safe level of asbestos exposure and even the inhalation of a few fibers can result in the development of mesothelioma later in life.
Today, strict regulations enforced by the EPA help limit the risk of asbestos exposure. Workers employed in industries that may be prone to exposure are often supplied with proper equipment and carry out steps to prevent exposure.–Asbestos.com
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