Product Description
The Westinghouse PWR pressurizer maintained primary coolant pressure using electric immersion heaters and a spray line at the top of the vessel. According to publicly filed asbestos litigation records, the heater penetration sleeves, the removable external insulation package, and the manway gaskets allegedly used asbestos-fabric blankets and asbestos-fiber sheet gaskets rated for the vessel’s saturation temperature. During heater replacement outages, workers allegedly cut and peeled back asbestos-containing sleeve insulation, unbolted manways, and stripped the exterior lagging, allegedly releasing respirable fibers into the pressurizer cubicle.
Workers Exposed
Nuclear plant mechanics and maintenance electricians allegedly pulled and replaced pressurizer immersion heaters, working directly with sleeve insulation. Pipefitters/steamfitters allegedly worked on the surge line and spray line connections. Refueling outage contractors allegedly rebuilt the external lagging package.