Asbestos in New York is now monitored in part by a state asbestos safety-training program that gives training certification courses in the evaluation, handling and removal of asbestos-containing materials. The New York Departments of Health and Labor also oversee efforts to remove deteriorating asbestos in buildings that are being renovated or demolished.
Industrial and Residential Exposure
New York State had many industries that exposed asbestos to workers before the 1980s, when asbestos use became more restricted. Those industries included:
Asbestos exposure has resulted in hundreds of deaths due to mesothelioma and lung cancer. Several specialized mesothelioma treatment centers are located in New York to help patients from across the United States.
Of course, asbestos is also present in New York homes, schools, office buildings, libraries, workplaces, and various other places. When asbestos is old or disturbed during its removal, the release of the asbestos fibers creates a grave danger of inhalation by humans and animals nearby. The only identified cause of mesothelioma is the inhalation of asbestos fibers.
Asbestos in NYC after 9/11
A major asbestos issue in New York is the risk of asbestos exposure after the September 11, 2001 destruction of the World Trade Center (WTC) towers. The clouds of debris and dust that were blasted free from the towers settled on a large part of Lower Manhattan, and it's estimated that more than 100,000 people in the area may have been exposed to toxic levels of asbestos and other hazardous building materials.
For example, although mesothelioma usually takes decades to develop after asbestos exposure, one of the emergency responders at the scene of the WTC tragedy died of mesothelioma just five years later, probably due to extreme exposure to the asbestos that was in the air in the time period immediately after the towers' destruction.
Contact Us for More Information
If you or your loved one worked in a New York industry that involved asbestos exposure, or if you're a New York resident with an asbestos-caused disease, contact us for more information about your options and resources.