ASBESTOS STEAM PIPES

Underground pipe explosion, a deadly reminder of lingering asbestos problems

August 11, 2010 – Two summers ago in New York City, underground steam pipes exploded and blew a 25–foot hole in the middle of the street at the intersection of 41st Street and Madison Ave., killing one pedestrian, wounding 30 others, and igniting concerns about pedestrian asbestos exposure.

According to the city’s Office of Emergency Management, the faulty steam pipes were installed in 1924, and may have been lined with asbestos. Dust and debris from the explosion did in fact contain asbestos, according to city health officials, who disclosed that six out of 10 bulk samples tested positive for the substance.

To avoid public asbestos exposure, the Office of Emergency Management closed off nearby streets over concern that the explosion forced toxic asbestos fibers into the air, where pedestrians could accidentally inhale them. Asbestos exposure occurs through the inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers and can lead to serious diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Asbestos insulation on steam pipes

Asbestos pipe insulation appears as a white cloth wrapping, and has been applied to steam pipes for decades, all through the mid-20th century. Asbestos was also a common insulation material on boiler systems because it resists heat, fire and corrosion, and was relatively inexpensive.

But though asbestos was the most durable and cost-effective insulation product at the time, authorities now recognize it as a deadly carcinogen that must be handled by specially trained, licensed asbestos abatement contractors.

Millions of public buildings and residential homes built prior to the 1980s still contain asbestos-laden building materials, such as asbestos insulation on steam pipes and cement wallboard, also known as sheetrock.

Many people believe that asbestos is banned in the United States, but the country still imports thousands of tons of the substance, where it is still used in the construction and automotive industries.

Large quantities of asbestos still remain, underground and in buildings, and will eventually have to be removed or encapsulated. The asbestos-debris fallout from the recent steam pipe explosion in New York City is a sad reminder of the situation.

Seek compensation here

Asbestos insulation on steam pipes have been around for a long time, and because mesothelioma symptoms take between 20 and 50 years to appear, many retired pipe fitters are only now being diagnosed with asbestos disease.

If you or someone you love has mesothelioma or asbestosis, and worked with pipe insulation, please fill out the form at left for a free case review to determine your eligibility to receive compensation.

The consultation is free and the information you receive will be invaluable to you during this difficult time. There are no obligations. If you decide to move forward with an asbestos claim, please know we will seek the maximum personal injury compensation you are entitled to.