On Thursday, July 19th, a 20” steam pipe ruptured and exploded on 5th Avenue and 21st Street in Manhattan. This pipe was likely wrapped with or near a material that contained asbestos fibers as city officials have cautioned. The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) has set up decontamination stations in the area. According to the New York Times, about 500 people have been displaced from their apartments out of an abundance of caution. Currently, city officials are working to determine if these apartments are safe to reoccupy.
To read the full article on GlobeSt.com, including a background on asbestos and best industrial hygiene practices for situations like this, click here.