January 16th, 2008

People in Manhattan last week scurried away from an explosion that was later blamed on a ruptured steam pipe. The chaos brought back memories of September 11th, and now one of the same problems must be addressed; asbestos.

Some blocks in Manhattan are now open after a steam pipe broke open, exploding into busy Midtown and closing down much of the area. One person died and two more were seriously burned when the blast occurred, bringing back memories of the havoc during 9/11. Though there were no terrorists involved in the blast, a similar problem remains after the explosion. Asbestos, which was blown across the city, now has to be cleaned and removed from the area before it becomes a health issue.

Officials conducted air tests after the blast and determined that the asbestos was stable, and did not pose a threat to the public. But as the asbestos dries and is disturbed by wind and people, the health threat can become real. When asbestos becomes airborne, particles of the dangerous substance can be breathed in. Asbestos exposure has been linked to emphysema, asbestosis and mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer. City and state officials are meeting to plan the removal of the dangerous substance before the material can become airborne.