Turbines
Throughout much of the twentieth century, asbestos was considered the best insulation product on the market. It was inexpensive to use and was durable and highly heat-resistant. The construction industry made widespread use of the mineral as did other industries where protection from high temperatures and fire was necessary.
Often, where electricity was found, asbestos was also present. For example, the mineral could often be found inside turbines. A turbine is a device that converts the flow of a fluid (air, steam, water, or hot gases) into mechanical motion for generating electricity. It has a shaft with blades at one end and electromagnets at the other. The energy source (water, steam) pushes the blades, which make the shaft and the magnets spin very fast.
All of this mechanical energy generates heat, which is why asbestos was used as an insulation material inside the turbines. These turbines were used aboard ships, in power plants, and for many other applications. They were manufactured by such well-known companies as General Electric and Westinghouse.
Through the years, it has become evident that manufacturers such as those mentioned above may have known about the dangers of using asbestos in the production of turbines yet continued to use the toxic mineral even when other reasonable substitutes were available. And though it was confirmed that the U.S. Navy asked that asbestos be included in its turbines, manufacturers did nothing to warn those who worked on or around the turbines that asbestos was indeed present. That means many individuals, both military and civilian, were unnecessarily exposed to the carcinogen.
Asbestos exposure is serious business and experts have determined that no amount of exposure is safe. Even those who’ve spent relatively little time working with asbestos have been known to develop asbestos-related diseases. These diseases develop when tiny, sharp asbestos fibers are inhaled and become lodged in the chest area, particularly in the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen. These fibers cause inflammation and may eventually develop into tumors and the cancer known as mesothelioma. This cancer is one of the most difficult to treat and results in seriously debilitating and painful symptoms, including chest pain, difficulty breathing, coughing, fatigue, and more. There is no known cure for mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma usually takes between 20 to 50 years to develop so individuals who were exposed to asbestos may not know they have the disease until decades after they worked with the hazardous mineral. That means that their later retirement years are often destroyed by the disease and their lives are cut short.
If you worked with asbestos turbines and have developed mesothelioma, take a moment to learn more about your legal rights. You may be eligible for compensation for your injuries. For more details, order our mesothelioma information kit today.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
