Millstone Power Station Asbestos Exposure & Compensation

Millstone Power Station is a nuclear power plant located in Waterford, Connecticut, and is the largest multi-unit nuclear power plant in New England. Construction of the plant began in 1966, during a period when asbestos was widely used in power plant equipment, construction, maintenance, and daily operations. As a result, many workers at Millstone faced a significant risk of asbestos exposure.

Over time, this exposure put employees and some of their family members at greater risk of developing mesothelioma and lung cancer. The experienced lawyers at Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen (ELSM) have a long history of assisting individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma after asbestos exposure at Millstone Power Station.

Millstone Power Station at a Glance

• The Connecticut nuclear power station is also commonly referred to as Millstone Power Plant, Millstone Nuclear Power Station, and Millstone Nuclear Power Plant.
• At least 5 asbestos trust funds, established to compensate mesothelioma victims, recognize Millstone Power Station as a known asbestos exposure jobsite.
• Individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma linked to Millstone power plant asbestos exposure should contact an experienced Connecticut mesothelioma lawyer to explore compensation options.

Asbestos Exposure at Millstone Power Station

Nuclear power plants used various asbestos materials in the construction of their facilities and equipment from the 1920s through the 1980s. Plants like Millstone Power Station incorporated asbestos products such as insulation, cement, boiler components, and fireproofing materials. Over time, these materials could degrade, requiring repair or replacement, which put many workers at risk of asbestos exposure.

Millstone Power Station was built in 1966. Several manufacturers and suppliers of asbestos products have identified the plant as a location where their materials were used.

Historically, the power plant consisted of three reactor units. While Unit 1 has been shut down, Units 2 and 3 remain operational today:

• Millstone Unit 1: A boiling water reactor that began commercial operation on December 28, 1970. Millstone Unit 1 was permanently shut down in the 1990s and placed in SAFSTOR, a long-term safe storage status overseen by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The plant is monitored but not actively dismantled and is expected to remain in SAFSTOR until at least 2048. When decommissioning begins, asbestos removal may be part of the process.
• Millstone Unit 2: In operation since 1975, this unit is a pressurized water reactor supplied by Combustion Engineering.
• Millstone Unit 3: Added to power plant in 1986, this unit is a Westinghouse pressurized water reactor.

A study titled "Retrospective Exposure Assessment to Airborne Asbestos Among Power Industry Workers," published in the Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, concluded that certain jobs in the power industry face a higher risk of asbestos-related disease due to cumulative exposure, although any level of asbestos exposure can pose health risks.

Workers with a history of asbestos exposure, particularly at Millstone Power Station, should inform their doctors. Researchers also encourage regular health checkups for workers in occupations with historically higher asbestos exposure to help ensure early detection of diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.

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High-Risk Occupations at Millstone Power Station

The combination of enclosed work areas, limited ventilation, and routine maintenance of asbestos-containing equipment increased the potential for airborne asbestos fibers to spread throughout the plant, putting hands-on workers as well as supervisors, engineers, and office staff at risk.

At the Millstone power plant, certain trades faced high risk of asbestos exposure, including:

• Boiler workers fabricated, constructed, and maintained large boilers that contain asbestos-containing materials.
• Electricians installed and maintained electrical systems at the power plant. Some of the wiring and electrical components they worked with contained asbestos due to its fire-resistant properties.
• Insulators coated and covered several types of heated equipment, such as boilers.
• Pipefitters constructed, installed, and serviced pipes and frequently worked with asbestos-containing gaskets, insulation, joint compounds, and packing materials.

Secondary Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure extended beyond the power plant. Workers often carried fibers home on their clothing or hair, unknowingly exposing family members who inhaled these fibers during everyday contact. Many spouses and children later developed mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses from this secondary exposure.

In Millstone 2, we used asbestos cloth as a finish in the reactor building, in the tunnels going to the reactor building, and on what they called the boron tanks downstairs in the auxiliary building. Insulator
Millstone Power Station, mid-1970s

Asbestos Products Used at Millstone Power Station

Several materials containing asbestos were utilized at Millstone Power Station.

Listed below are some of the most frequently encountered asbestos-containing products at power plants:

• Asbestos packing: Flexible materials used to secure joints on movable components of machinery.
• Cement: Arrived in a dry powder form, which was combined with water and utilized in various applications throughout the facility
• Compounds: Asbestos joint compounds were utilized for repairs and to seal boilers, pipes, and various high-temperature equipment.
• Gaskets: Sealed materials together to prevent leaks. Asbestos gaskets were fire resistant, and used on nearly all equipment. They were routinely replaced to maintain an effective seal.
• Thermal insulation: Added to prevent heat loss and ensure worker safety. Insulation was applied inside and outside boilers, coolers, turbines, piping, and for fire resistance in flooring and walls of building.

Compensation for Millstone Power Station Workers With Mesothelioma

If you or a loved one has received a mesothelioma diagnosis due to exposure to asbestos at Millstone Power Station, you may be eligible for compensation. ELSM Law has represented more than 30 clients in their mesothelioma lawsuits or other asbestos-related disease claims linked, at least in part, to asbestos exposure at a Millstone power plant facility.

Some companies that manufactured and supplied asbestos products to the Millstone power plant are now bankrupt, but they remain legally liable for asbestos-related damages. Victims can pursue compensation through established asbestos trust funds.

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Asbestos Trust Fund Claims

Victims diagnosed with mesothelioma from exposure at the Millstone power plant may be eligible to file claims through asbestos trust funds. While Millstone Power Station itself does not have a dedicated asbestos trust fund, several manufacturers have established funds to provide compensation for mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. These trust funds can help cover medical expenses, replace lost income, and provide financial support to patients and their families.

The following list of bankrupt companies with established asbestos trust funds includes Millstone Power Station as an approved jobsite.

Asbestos Lawsuits

The mesothelioma lawyers at ELSM Law have extensive experience handling the two primary types of asbestos lawsuits: personal injury claims filed by patients and wrongful death claims brought by families. Asbestos lawsuits can be complex and involve a substantial amount of documentation, which is why ELSM encourages clients and their loved ones to focus on treatment and their well-being while leaving the legal work to experienced attorneys.

In most cases, clients are asked to provide a deposition detailing their work history at Millstone Power Station and any other locations where they may have been exposed to asbestos. Because there is a limited period to file a lawsuit, it is crucial to consult with an asbestos attorney early. Each state has strict filing deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, which must be followed to protect your legal rights.

Workers’ Compensation and Veteran Benefits

Past and present employees of the Millstone Power Station are entitled to submit a worker's compensation claim for work-related illnesses, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Connecticut provides workers' compensation benefits to former employees even if their diagnosis occurs after retirement. In addition, family members or spouses of Millstone Power Station employees who passed away from asbestos-related illnesses might be eligible to file a claim on their behalf.

If you were exposed to asbestos at the Millstone nuclear power plant while serving in the military and were later diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may qualify for VA benefits, including disability compensation and health care. An accredited VA attorney at ELSM Law, such as Kyle Navin, can assist with the application process and help ensure you receive all available benefits.