Located in Nitro, West Virginia, the John Amos Power Station asbestos exposure problem has deeply affected generations of workers and their loved ones. The facility, which has been a significant source of electricity for the region since the 1970s, also has a lesser-known legacy: widespread asbestos exposure from construction through operation.
Why Asbestos Was Present at John Amos Power Station
Constructed during a time when asbestos was commonly used for its heat resistance and insulation properties, the John Amos Power Station incorporated asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in pipe insulation, boilers, turbines, electrical panels, and fireproofing. These materials were especially prevalent in maintenance and utility areas—putting workers like pipefitters, insulators, laborers, and electricians at particular risk of inhaling asbestos fibers during routine tasks.
How Exposure Occurred Inside the Facility
Asbestos fibers are microscopic and easily become airborne when ACMs are disturbed. At John Amos, workers performing maintenance or upgrades often encountered deteriorating insulation, floor tiles, and ceiling panels. Without proper personal protective equipment or ventilation systems, these fibers would lodge in the lungs of unsuspecting employees, sometimes lying dormant for decades before symptoms like shortness of breath or persistent coughing developed.
Families at Risk: The Take-Home Exposure Link
Perhaps even more devastating than direct exposure is the ripple effect of take-home asbestos exposure. Workers at John Amos unknowingly brought asbestos fibers home on their clothing, exposing spouses and children during routine activities like laundry or hugs at the door. These secondhand exposures have tragically resulted in mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis in family members who never set foot in the power station. Learn more about take-home exposure here.
Legal Rights for Workers and Families
Both former John Amos employees and their families may have the right to file claims for asbestos-related diseases. Laws in West Virginia recognize the danger of take-home exposure, and courts have held manufacturers and employers accountable for their failure to warn and protect. It’s important to act quickly, as time limits—called statutes of limitations—apply to these claims.
Check If Your Family Was Exposed
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If you or a loved one worked at John Amos Power Station—or lived with someone who did—and are now facing a diagnosis of mesothelioma or another asbestos disease, you may be entitled to significant compensation.
📷 👉 Call The Law Offices of Lee W. Davis, Esquire, L.L.C. at (412) 781-0525
📍Serving Nitro, WV and surrounding Kanawha County
🔗 Explore our prior post on asbestos exposure at Columbia Carbon Black in Proctor, WV