Astoria Generating Station Asbestos Exposure & Compensation

For decades, Astoria Generating Station has powered New York City from its location in Queens on the East River. Yet it also carried hidden risks: Asbestos in power plants was common, putting workers and others at risk of breathing in toxic fibers and developing mesothelioma.

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If you or your loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma after working at Astoria Generating Station, we can help. With more than 40 years of experience, Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen (ELSM) has helped thousands of families pursue compensation for asbestos-related illnesses.

Astoria Generating Station at a Glance

• Astoria Generating Station has played a key role in powering New York City since the mid-20th century. The facility operates multiple generating units that have operated under different owners over the years, including Con Edison and Astoria Energy.
• Like many power plants, Astoria relied heavily on asbestos insulation and equipment, putting workers at risk of long-term exposure.
• Occupations such as pipefitters, boiler workers, electricians, and maintenance crews had the highest risk of exposure, and family members faced risk of secondary asbestos exposure.
• Astoria Generating Station used asbestos in many forms, including pipe and boiler insulation, gaskets, cement board, turbine insulation, and protective clothing.
• Compensation for mesothelioma victims can come from asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, workers’ compensation, or veteran benefits, depending on your specific situation.
• An experienced mesothelioma law firm like ELSM can connect your diagnosis to known asbestos products, file the correct claims, and guide your family through the process.

Astoria Generating Station & Asbestos Exposure in Power Plants

During decades of operation, especially from the 1950s through the 1980s, asbestos was commonly used throughout Astoria Generating Station because of its heat resistance and low cost. Workers installed asbestos insulation in pipes, boilers, turbines, and other machinery to protect against extreme temperatures. But when asbestos is cut, repaired, replaced, or otherwise disturbed, it releases fibers into the air. Asbestos dust could linger in confined areas like turbine halls or boiler rooms, common workspaces at Astoria.

Breathing in those fibers, even in small amounts, can cause serious diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. While asbestos use declined in the late 20th century, aging equipment and residual materials may have remained in the plant for years. Workers at Astoria may not have been aware of the dangers until decades later, when asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma began to appear.

I would deliver to Con Ed in Astoria. There was always a lot of construction going on and I would see bags of asbestos everywhere. Truck driver and delivery person
1964

High-Risk Occupations at Astoria Generating Station

Mesothelioma in power plant workers is most common among those who handled asbestos-containing materials directly or had prolonged exposure to asbestos dust. New York court records cite asbestos exposure at Astoria Powerhouse Unit 6, demonstrating how maintenance, construction, and retrofit tasks at Astoria units could disturb asbestos-containing materials and release breathable fibers.

Some of the most at-risk occupations at Astoria include:

• Pipefitters: Cut, installed, and repaired asbestos-insulated piping systems.
• Boiler workers: Operated and maintained boilers lined with asbestos insulation.
• Turbine operators: Worked in close contact with turbines surrounded by asbestos products.
• Electricians: Repaired wiring and equipment that often contained asbestos insulation.
• Mechanics and maintenance crews: Removed asbestos gaskets, seals, and packing during repairs.
• Laborers: Cleaned up debris and worked around asbestos dust.
• Engineers: Often spent long hours in asbestos-filled environments, even if they didn’t handle it directly.

Secondary Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure didn’t end at the plant gates. Workers may have left their shifts at Astoria Generating Station with asbestos fibers clinging to their clothing, shoes, and hair. Family members who hugged them after work, helped with laundry, or rode in the same car could unknowingly inhale the fibers. Many families never realized the health risks until years later, when spouses or children developed mesothelioma from secondary asbestos exposure.

Asbestos Products Used at Astoria Generating Station

Asbestos was once considered essential to running power plants safely, so it was used in nearly every part of the Astoria facility. Several companies that manufactured asbestos products and later established trust funds for victims include Astoria Generating Station as a recognized jobsite where their products were used.

Common asbestos products at Astoria Generating Station and other power plants included:

Compensation for Astoria Generating Station Employees with Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma compensation can ease the burden of medical bills, lost income, and the stress your family faces after a diagnosis. If you worked at Astoria Generating Station and later developed mesothelioma, several legal options may be available to you.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Asbestos trust funds were established by companies that filed for bankruptcy after being sued for exposing workers to asbestos. These trusts contain billions of dollars set aside to pay current and future victims.

While there is no specific fund for Astoria Generating Station, some of the manufacturers that supplied asbestos products to the plant created trusts. Filing a claim requires proof of your mesothelioma diagnosis and evidence of where and when your exposure occurred, such as work history. A lawyer can help you gather evidence, match your claim to the right trusts, and file the proper paperwork.

The following is a list of bankrupt companies with asbestos trusts that include Astoria Generating Station on their list of approved jobsites.

Bankrupt Asbestos Company	Asbestos Exposure Start Date	Asbestos Exposure End Date
ABB Lummus
Armstrong World Industries	1/1/1972	12/31/1982
Burns & Roe	1/1/1936	12/31/1947
Babcock & Wilcox	8/1/1950	12/31/1982
Combustion Engineering	1/1/1957	12/31/1982
Eagle-Picher
GAF Corporation	9/24/1970	12/31/1982
Keene Corporation	1/1/1954	12/31/1982
Owens Corning	1/1/1905	12/31/1982
Fibreboard	1/1/1953	12/31/1982
Pittsburgh Corning	1/1/1971
United States Mineral	3/18/1964	12/31/1982

Asbestos Lawsuits

Another compensation option is to file a lawsuit against the companies responsible for your asbestos exposure. These cases are often brought against product manufacturers and suppliers, not the power plant itself. ELSM has represented numerous clients that suffered from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases due in part to asbestos exposure at Astoria Generating Station.

To succeed, you’ll need medical records of your mesothelioma diagnosis, work history, and evidence linking your exposure to specific asbestos products. Families who lost a loved one may also file asbestos claims after death to recover compensation, known as wrongful death lawsuits. A mesothelioma attorney can help handle the complex paperwork and negotiate settlements on your behalf.

Workers’ Compensation and Veteran Benefits

In addition to trust funds and lawsuits, some workers may qualify for benefits through state or federal programs. These options can provide additional financial support alongside other claims:

• Workers’ compensation: If you developed mesothelioma as a direct result of your job, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits can help pay for medical treatment and partially replace lost wages.
• Veterans’ benefits: Many veterans worked at power plants during military duty and were exposed to asbestos. If you are a veteran with mesothelioma, you may qualify for VA benefits like disability payments and health care. An attorney familiar with VA claims can guide you through the application process.

How an Experienced Attorney Can Help

If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma after working at Astoria Generating Station, filing an asbestos claim quickly is important. The statute of limitations for mesothelioma claims limits the amount of time you have to pursue a case after diagnosis, and waiting too long can affect your ability to recover compensation. The sooner you speak with a lawyer, the sooner we can begin building your case.

At ELSM, we’ve spent more than four decades helping mesothelioma patients and their families secure the support they need. Our attorneys will investigate your work history, gather the evidence to prove exposure, and file claims or lawsuits on your behalf. From the first consultation to the final resolution, we stand by you every step of the way. Contact us today for a free case evaluation and learn how we can help.

Common Questions About Astoria Generating Station Asbestos Exposure

What jobs at Astoria Generating Station were most at risk of asbestos exposure?

Jobs that involved direct contact with asbestos products carry the highest risk of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses. Pipefitters, boiler workers, turbine operators, electricians, and maintenance crews at Astoria Generating Station all handled asbestos regularly.

Can family members of Astoria Generating Station workers file claims for secondary exposure?

Yes, family members diagnosed with mesothelioma due to secondhand asbestos exposure may qualify for compensation. An experienced attorney can help you determine the source of your exposure and file the applicable claims for compensation.

What is the difference between a lawsuit and an asbestos trust claim?

An asbestos trust claim is filed with a trust fund created by bankrupt manufacturers, while a lawsuit is filed in court against companies still in operation. Trust claims usually move faster, but lawsuits may result in larger payouts depending on the case.

How much compensation can victims of asbestos exposure receive?

Compensation varies by case, but many victims recover enough to cover medical bills, lost wages, and provide for their families. Settlements and trust fund claims can total hundreds of thousands of dollars or more, depending on exposure history.

How long do mesothelioma cases against Astoria Generating Station take?

The timeline depends on the type of claim you pursue. Trust claims can resolve in a few months, while lawsuits may take a year or longer—though many settle before reaching trial.