Consolidated Edison, Inc.
History of Consolidated Edison, Inc.
Consolidated Edison, Inc. (Con-Ed) originated as the New York Gas Light Company in 1823 and has grown considerably over the years. In an effort to fend off competition, the New York Gas Light Company merged with 5 other companies in New York to form the Consolidated Gas Company in 1884. In the following decades, it continued to purchase smaller companies, thus growing considerably larger in size and in profits. After acquiring the lighting company started by inventor Thomas Edison in 1936, it became Consolidated Edison.
In 1999 Con-Ed, in compliance with the New York Public Service Commission, sold several of its greater-New York holdings including the Arthur Kill Powerhouse and the Astoria Powerhouse. They are still a large presence, providing electricity, gas and steam service to more than 3 million people in New York City and Westchester County. In 2002 Consolidated Edison employed over 14,000 people and had assets valued at $17 billion. Consolidated Edison, Inc. is currently one of largest energy companies in the nation.
Consolidated Edison's New York Holdings currently include:
- Con-Ed 69th & 3rd Avenue
- Con-Ed Powerhouse 14th Street
- Con-Ed Powerhouse 74th Street
- Con-Ed Powerhouse A Street
- Con-Ed Powerhouse East 72nd Street
- Con-Ed Powerhouse East River Generating Station
- Con-Ed Powerhouse Hellgate Station
- Con-Ed East 14th Street
- Con-Ed West 65th Street
Asbestos Exposure at Consolidated Edison
Consolidated Edison's many holdings throughout New York create and provide heat, electricity, and steam. Since the properties generated an intense heat, they needed cheap and efficient insulation for the piping systems. Until the mid 1970s, the product that was mainly used was asbestos. Exposure to asbestos, particularly airborne asbestos dust, put employees at risk for the serious health related issues. Miles of pipes were necessary for energy production. These pipes were insulated with asbestos. Additionally turbine generators, boilers, pumps, heaters, condensers and other equipment at Con-Ed's facilities also used asbestos products and insulation. Asbestos tile and paper were also used to create 'fire-proof' environments in the boiler-rooms. Fire-proofing asbestos spray was applied to certain areas, again creating a hazardous work environment. Babcock & Wilcox boilers were used at Con-Ed facilities. Additionally, Foster-Wheeler products were used among others.
Asbestos paper and the pipe insulation and filler products often needed to be sanded down depending on the situation. Size limitations often forced workers to cut and shape the asbestos products. These processes caused asbestos dust and particles to be released into the air. Gaskets used at the facilities were either made with asbestos, or made out of asbestos. Since it is difficult to create a perfect gasket, a worker would have to grind it or sand it down, throwing more dangerous asbestos dust in the air. The excessive amount of building works, repairs, and maintenance that occurred in the Con-Ed facilities put every employee at risk, as well as family members who were exposed to the dust on clothing of their loved ones.. Even if someone was not in direct contact with asbestos, they were at risk because it was present throughout the facility. As asbestos insulation was applied, maintained and repaired it often put dust particles in the air that could have been inhaled by anyone. .
Consolidated Edison Workers At Risk for Mesothelioma
Workers and the families of workers exposed to asbestos at any of Conolidated Edison's facilities may be at risk to develop mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a terminal cancer that is caused solely by the inhalation of asbestos dust. Currently there is no cure for mesothelioma. However, treatments are improving as research into the disease continues. Other asbestos related conditions that can develop include asbestos related lung cancer and asbestosis.