A diagnosis of an asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma, following employment at the Greater Des Moines Power Station in Des Moines, Iowa, may entitle you to compensation. The facility reportedly utilized asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) extensively throughout its operational history. Many industrial facilities constructed and operated through the 20th century relied on ACMs for their heat resistance, insulation, and durability. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer Iowa can help you understand your legal options and pursue a claim.

URGENT FILING DEADLINE WARNING FOR IOWA RESIDENTS: Iowa law imposes a strict two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims (Iowa Code § 614.1(2)), which typically begins from the date of diagnosis. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is also two years from the date of death (Iowa Code § 614.1(2)). Do not delay in seeking legal counsel, as missing these critical deadlines can permanently bar your right to compensation.

This article aims to inform former workers, their families, and others reportedly exposed to asbestos at the Greater Des Moines Power Station about potential health risks and available legal options. For a comprehensive list of asbestos-containing products and manufacturers relevant to facilities of this type, refer to the AsbestosIndex Product Crosswalk.

History of Asbestos Use at Greater Des Moines Power Station and Asbestos Exposure Iowa

The Greater Des Moines Power Station began operations in 1917 and underwent numerous expansions and upgrades over several decades. Power generation facilities, especially those built before the late 1980s, were significant consumers of asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos offered exceptional heat resistance, electrical insulation properties, and durability, making it an ideal choice for the high-temperature and demanding environments characteristic of power plants. Similar widespread use of ACMs was common at other industrial sites across Iowa, such as Iowa Steel in Iowa City, Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids, Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, and the John Morrell plant in Sioux City.

Asbestos-containing materials were reportedly used throughout the Greater Des Moines Power Station. While stricter regulations and increased awareness of asbestos hazards led to reduced use and eventual cessation, much of the original asbestos-containing infrastructure may have remained in place for decades, undergoing repair, renovation, or demolition. This prolonged presence created the potential for asbestos exposure Iowa workers may have experienced.

Where Asbestos-Containing Materials Were Allegedly Present, Leading to Polk County Asbestos Lawsuit Claims

Asbestos-containing materials were allegedly integrated into numerous components and systems at the Greater Des Moines Power Station. Common applications reportedly included:

  • Boilers and Turbines: Large industrial boilers, associated steam turbines, and generators were heavily insulated with asbestos-containing block insulation, insulating cement, and lagging to maintain high operating temperatures and improve efficiency. For example, a General Electric TC4F26 steam turbine, commissioned in 1976 (per EIA Form 860 Annual Electric Generator Report), may have utilized asbestos-containing materials in its components.
  • Piping Systems: Miles of steam and hot water pipes often featured asbestos-containing pipe insulation. This insulation could deteriorate over time, especially during maintenance or repairs, reportedly releasing asbestos fibers.
  • Gaskets and Packing: Asbestos was a common component in gaskets, valve packing, and pump packing due to its ability to withstand high temperatures and pressures. Workers frequently replaced these materials during routine maintenance, which could lead to fiber release.
  • Refractory Materials: Furnaces, kilns, and other high-temperature processing units often contained asbestos in their refractory linings to help them withstand extreme heat.
  • Electrical Components: Asbestos reportedly saw use in electrical panels, wiring insulation, and other electrical components, offering non-conductive and fire-retardant properties.
  • Building Materials: Asbestos could also be found in roofing materials, floor tiles, joint compounds, and spray fireproofing used in the construction of the power station’s buildings.

Consult the AsbestosIndex Product Crosswalk for specific product categories and manufacturers linked to facilities of this type, which can be crucial for a Polk County asbestos lawsuit.

Occupations and Workers Reportedly Exposed to Asbestos

The widespread use of asbestos-containing materials means many tradespeople and other personnel at the Greater Des Moines Power Station may have been exposed to airborne asbestos fibers. These occupations include:

  • Insulators: Workers whose primary job involved applying, removing, or repairing asbestos-containing pipe covering, block insulation, and lagging faced particularly high risk. Union members from Asbestos Workers Local 12, serving Iowa and Nebraska, may have performed this work.
  • Pipefitters: These skilled workers installed, maintained, and repaired piping systems and often disturbed asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and packing. Members of unions like Pipefitters Local 33, based in Des Moines, may have performed this work.
  • Boilermakers: Boilermakers worked on the construction, maintenance, and repair of boilers, frequently handling asbestos-containing refractory materials, insulation, and gaskets within confined spaces. Boilermakers Local 83 members, covering parts of Iowa, may have been among those exposed.
  • Electricians: Electricians may have encountered asbestos in wiring insulation, conduits, and electrical panels when working on electrical systems. IBEW Local 347, serving the Des Moines area, would have had members working at the facility.
  • Millwrights: These workers installed, maintained, and repaired machinery, potentially disturbing asbestos-containing components or insulation.
  • Maintenance Workers: General maintenance crews, laborers, and janitorial staff performed tasks such as sweeping, cleaning, or minor repairs in areas with deteriorating asbestos materials.
  • Welders: Welding activities near asbestos-containing materials could disturb them, potentially releasing fibers.
  • Engineers and Supervisors: Individuals overseeing operations or conducting inspections in areas where asbestos was present.
  • Construction Workers: Various construction trades may have encountered asbestos-containing building materials during original construction, renovations, or demolition projects.

Exposure often occurred during tasks such as cutting, sawing, drilling, grinding, or removing old asbestos-containing materials. These actions could release microscopic fibers into the air. Anyone in the vicinity of these activities may have unknowingly inhaled or ingested these fibers.

Asbestos fiber exposure is known to cause several serious and often fatal diseases. These diseases typically have long latency periods, meaning symptoms may not appear for 10 to 50 years after initial exposure. Primary asbestos-related diseases include:

  • Mesothelioma: A rare, aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), or heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
  • Asbestosis: A chronic, non-cancerous lung disease characterized by scarring of the lung tissue, leading to shortness of breath and reduced lung function.
  • Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure significantly increases lung cancer risk, especially for individuals who also smoke.
  • Other Cancers: Asbestos exposure has also been linked to an increased risk of cancers of the larynx, pharynx, stomach, and colon.

If you or a loved one worked at the Greater Des Moines Power Station and received an asbestos-related disease diagnosis, seek legal counsel to understand your rights and options. An asbestos attorney Iowa can provide crucial guidance.

Individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or other asbestos-related diseases after reportedly working at the Greater Des Moines Power Station have legal recourse. Potential legal options for an Iowa mesothelioma settlement include:

  • Personal Injury Lawsuits: A diagnosis of an asbestos-related disease may qualify you to file a personal injury lawsuit against manufacturers documented on the AsbestosIndex Product Crosswalk for this facility type. These lawsuits are typically filed in Iowa District Courts, with Polk County District Court in Des Moines being a primary venue, and Linn County District Court in Cedar Rapids also handling such cases.
  • Wrongful Death Lawsuits: If a loved one died from an asbestos-related disease, surviving family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit.
  • Asbestos Trust Fund Claims: Many companies that manufactured asbestos products established trust funds to compensate victims. Trust fund claims and civil lawsuits can be pursued simultaneously by Iowa residents, forming part of an asbestos trust fund Iowa strategy.

Iowa Asbestos Statute of Limitations and Asbestos Lawsuit Iowa Filing Deadline

It is critical to be aware of Iowa’s strict statute of limitations, which sets deadlines for filing legal claims. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your right to compensation. This is a vital part of the asbestos lawsuit Iowa filing deadline.

  • Personal Injury Claims: The statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those related to asbestos exposure, is generally two years from the date of diagnosis (Iowa Code § 614.1(2)).
  • Wrongful Death Claims: The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is also generally two years from the date of death (Iowa Code § 614.1(2)).

These deadlines are crucial and strictly enforced. Do not delay. Consult an attorney specializing in asbestos litigation as soon as possible after diagnosis to protect your legal rights.

Contact an Experienced Iowa Asbestos Attorney Today

If you or a family member worked at the Greater Des Moines Power Station and received an asbestos-related diagnosis, seek legal advice from a qualified asbestos cancer lawyer Des Moines immediately. An experienced asbestos law firm can help you:

  • Identify Exposure Sources: Attorneys use extensive databases and resources to pinpoint where and when you may have been exposed to asbestos-containing materials at facilities like the Greater Des Moines Power Station, or other Iowa industrial sites.
  • Navigate Complex Legal Processes: Asbestos litigation involves multiple defendants and complex medical and scientific evidence, often requiring filings in Iowa District Courts like Polk County or Linn County.
  • Maximize Compensation: Toxic tort counsel helps ensure you recover full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
  • Preserve Crucial Evidence: Unfortunately, many of the coworkers who shared shifts with you in the earlier years of your career may no longer be reachable. Time is precious.

Understand your legal rights and options. Call an experienced asbestos attorney today for a free consultation.

Data Sources

Information about facility equipment, industrial materials, and occupational records referenced on this page is drawn from publicly available sources where applicable, including:

If specific equipment or product claims in this article are sourced from a non-public database, the source is identified parenthetically within the text above.

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