New York City is famous for its towering skyscrapers, but many of the workers who constructed those marvels were later diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of working with asbestos-contaminated building materials. It is with that history in mind that the New York City Department of Environmental Protection issued a stop-work order for the construction site of a planned 86-story tower on the Upper West Side after an inspection found that asbestos-contaminated waterproofing tar material had been disturbed during demolition.
Despite Mesothelioma Link, Asbestos Was Used in NYC Construction
The link between asbestos and mesothelioma was well known at the time that the building the new tower is replacing opened its doors, but despite the dangers of the material being well documented and some major uses having been restricted, a full ban never actually took legal effect, and asbestos-containing materials were used in its construction. The EPA attempted a ban in 1989 with its Asbestos Ban and Phase-Out Rule, but that rule was largely struck down by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1991.
With asbestos already being blamed for mesothelioma and other illnesses among construction workers and insulators, spray-applied fireproofing and insulation containing asbestos had been banned for new installation in 1973 under the Clean Air Act, and friable asbestos insulation products were phased out through the 1970s. But many asbestos-containing products were still legal and in common use through the 1980s, including vinyl floor tile and adhesives, roofing certain cements, gaskets, and some ceiling products. Waterproofing tar like that found in the demolition site was a common carrier, asasbestos fibers were often mixed into roofing and below-grade waterproofing compounds to add durability and crack resistance.
Work Stopped Indefinitely by Mesothelioma Fears
The DEP indicated that work may not resume until a cleanup scope of work for all asbestos-containing material has been submitted and approved, and the mesothelioma-causing material has been properly removed. Violation of the stop work order may result in civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day. The development had already drawn complaints from residents, making the asbestos discovery a further setback.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net are here to help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
