Astoria Powerhouse and the asbestos cancer risk for workers

Astoria Powerhouse, situated on the banks of the East River in New York is a power plant that supplies energy to New York City.

Formerly owned by Consolidated Edison (ConEd), Astoria Powerhouse, much like other power plants, required comprehensive insulation capabilities to handle the high levels of heat generated in energy production.

For many decades before it was revealed to the public that asbestos could cause cancer, asbestos was used to insulate all types of equipment in the Astoria Powerhouse.

As a result, workers there breathed in the cancer-causing asbestos dust and fibers, which can cause mesothelioma cancer and severe respiratory diseases such as asbestosis.

During work on and around the many miles of piping, heaters, condensers, pumps, and other kinds of similar equipment requiring insulation, Astoria Powerhouse workers were exposed and, decades later, developed serious health problems.

It was not just those who worked in direct contact with asbestos-insulated items, but people anywhere in the vicinity who were in danger.

Asbestos fibers could have been inhaled by anyone even just passing through the work area.

Maintenance and repair work, for example, regularly exposed people because the cutting and hammering released high amounts of dangerous asbestos into the air.

Astoria Powerhouse was subject to an overhaul of repairs and construction; this radically increased the risks of asbestos inhalation at the plant.

In fact, since asbestos adheres to clothing, the family members of workers were exposed to the potentially lethal inhalation of asbestos fibers when workers brought the substance home on their dusty overalls.

How we can help Astoria powerhouse workers with asbestos-related cancer

Many companies manufactured asbestos-containing products without any regard for the public. If you’d like to hold them accountable for the harm they have caused you or a loved one, please complete the form on this page for a free legal review.

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