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Power Plants

Kingston Fossil Plant

Kingston Fossil Plant

Kingston Fossil Plant Kingston Fossil Plant is a coal-fired power station operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in Roane County, Tennessee. The nine-unit facility is also known for the catastrophic 2008 coal ash spill, one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history.

Last verified: 2026-03-09
Written by Paul Danziger, J.D. & Rod De Llano, J.D.
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Legally reviewed by Michelle Whitman, Mesothelioma Litigation Specialist
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30+ years of mesothelioma litigation experience
Location
Kingston, TN
Industry
Coal-Fired Electric Power Generation
Exposure Era
1950s–1980s
Primary Asbestos Products
Boiler insulation, Pipe insulation, Turbine insulation, Gaskets, Refractory materials, Cement products
Job Categories at Risk
Boiler operators, Maintenance workers, Pipe fitters, Insulators, Electricians, Cleanup workers

History & Asbestos Use

Kingston Fossil Plant was constructed between 1951 and 1955 by TVA, with nine generating units coming online during that period. The plant was built during the height of asbestos use in industrial construction, and massive quantities of asbestos-containing materials were installed. In December 2008, a containment dike failed and released 5.4 million cubic yards of coal ash slurry, creating a separate environmental disaster. The cleanup exposed additional workers to hazardous materials, including residual asbestos in plant structures.

Exposure Details

Workers at Kingston Fossil Plant were exposed to asbestos in boiler insulation, pipe lagging, turbine wrapping, gaskets, refractory materials, and cement products across all nine generating units. Decades of maintenance work required repeated handling of asbestos-containing materials. The 2008 coal ash spill cleanup brought hundreds of additional workers into contact with plant structures containing deteriorated asbestos. Original construction workers from the 1950s faced the most severe exposure before any protective standards existed.

Workers at Risk

The following job categories at Kingston Fossil Plant had the highest risk of asbestos exposure:

  • Boiler operators
  • Maintenance workers
  • Pipe fitters
  • Insulators
  • Electricians
  • Cleanup workers

Health Effects

Former Kingston Fossil Plant workers have developed mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer from occupational asbestos exposure spanning decades. Workers from the original 1950s construction era, who had virtually no protective equipment, are at the highest risk. Additionally, many of the workers involved in the 2008 coal ash spill cleanup have reported serious health problems, compounding the facility's legacy of worker health impacts.

Health information is based on established medical research on asbestos exposure. Asbestos is classified as a known human carcinogen by the National Cancer Institute, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Consult a physician for medical advice specific to your situation.

Compensation May Be Available

Workers exposed to asbestos at Kingston Fossil Plant may be entitled to compensation through asbestos trust funds, personal injury lawsuits, or veterans benefits. Mesothelioma patients and their families have recovered billions in compensation from companies that manufactured or used asbestos products.

3 asbestos trust funds have been identified as potentially related to exposure at this site. Many mesothelioma patients qualify to file claims with multiple trusts simultaneously.

Find Out If You Qualify

Were You Exposed to Asbestos at Kingston Fossil Plant?

Workers who were employed at Kingston Fossil Plant between 1950s–1980s may have been exposed to asbestos-containing materials. If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may have legal options including trust fund claims and lawsuits.

Speak with an Attorney — Free Request a Free Case Evaluation

Related Asbestos Trust Funds

Workers exposed to asbestos at Kingston Fossil Plant may be eligible to file claims with the following trust funds:

Treatment Centers in Tennessee

If you were exposed to asbestos at Kingston Fossil Plant and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, these specialized treatment centers in Tennessee may be able to help.

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Nashville, TN

Comprehensive Cancer Center
View Full Profile

Browse all treatment centers →

Frequently Asked Questions

Was asbestos used at Kingston Fossil Plant?

Yes. Kingston Fossil Plant was built in the early 1950s when asbestos use was at its peak. All nine generating units contained extensive asbestos-containing materials in boiler insulation, pipe insulation, gaskets, and refractory materials.

Did the 2008 coal ash spill involve asbestos exposure?

The coal ash spill cleanup brought hundreds of workers into contact with aging plant structures that contained deteriorating asbestos materials, potentially adding to the facility's history of asbestos exposure.

Can former Kingston Fossil Plant workers seek asbestos compensation?

Yes. TVA employees and contractors who worked at Kingston and developed mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases may be eligible for compensation through asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, or workers' compensation claims.

Get a Free Case Evaluation

If you or a loved one worked at Kingston Fossil Plant and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, our attorneys can help you explore your legal options. There is no cost, no pressure, and no obligation.

Free & Confidential No upfront costs, no hidden fees. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation.
Nationwide Representation Licensed to handle mesothelioma cases in all 50 states from our Houston office.
Over 25 Years of Experience Our attorneys have recovered over $2 billion for mesothelioma patients and families.
Fast Results Trust fund claims can resolve in as few as 90 days. We move quickly for our clients.

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Sources:

  • EPA records — accessed 2026-03-09
  • OSHA compliance records — accessed 2026-03-09
  • TVA historical records — accessed 2026-03-09
  • Tennessee TDEC records — accessed 2026-03-09
← All Exposure Sites in Tennessee ← All Exposure Sites
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