The Johnsonville Fossil Plant, also known as the Johnsonville Steam Plant, is one of over 100 sites in Tennessee that are known to pose the risk of asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a fibrous material that has been used extensively in industrial operations, including energy plant operations.
While asbestos was long prized for its durability, insulating properties, and fireproofing ability, this material can cause serious and irreparable bodily harm.
Asbestos can be inhaled or ingested in any environment where this material has been compromised or subject to the natural aging process. Once exposed, people can develop serious asbestos related diseases, including asbestosis and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdominal cavity.
If you or a loved one has worked at the Johnsonville Fossil Plant and have developed an asbestos-related disease, it is important to learn more about your legal rights and options. Contact us to speak with a qualified Tennessee asbestos attorney. Read on to learn more about the Johnsonville Fossil Plant.
The Johnsonville Steam Plant
Johnsonville Fossil Plant is located near Waverly, on the east bank of the Tennessee River. This plant is one of the oldest fossil plants in the Tennessee Valley Authority system and supplies power to 400,000 homes in Tennessee.
To produce electricity, this plant uses 10 coal-fired units, which consume about 9,600 tons of coal every day. In these units, water is heated in a boiler to produce steam. Under high pressure this steam is forced into a turbine and then into a generator that produces energy.
In the past, asbestos use was crucial to the operation of these coal-fire plants: asbestos helped to fireproof the equipment and reduce the risk of unwanted fire. It was also used in several other applications.
For a long time, organizations that used asbestos argued that it was safe. However, numerous scientific studies concluded that asbestos used in coal power plants like the Johnsonville Steam Plant could cause cancer. While plants no longer actively use asbestos in their operations, these materials can still be present in older equipment and materials. In fact, their age makes them all the more dangerous.
If you are concerned about asbestos exposure at the Johnsonville Steam Plant, please contact us to learn more.
