The five boroughs that make up New York City are, collectively, one of the world’s most densely populated regions, and New York City is the country’s largest city by population size. The sheer size of New York City created a strong demand for significant industrial development, housing and similar construction efforts.
Much of the city’s buildings that were constructed during the 20th century were built with asbestos-containing materials. In fact, the entire asbestos industry was birthed in New York City by Henry Ward Johns during the 1800s. As such, historic buildings in the 1850s as well as mid-20th century development relied on asbestos-containing materials. Given this long timeline of asbestos use, it is no exaggeration to suggest that millions (if not billions) of people have since been exposed to asbestos in New York City and around the country.
Why Asbestos Exposure Is Dangerous
Asbestos exposure is known for causing a number of asbestos-related illnesses, the most notable of which is mesothelioma. This aggressive form of cancer can take decades to develop after the microscopic asbestos fibers are swallowed or inhaled.
It is all too easy to inhale or swallow these fibers when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed. In addition to the often lethal mesothelioma, asbestos exposure can also cause asbestos-related lung cancer and asbestosis, a chronic lung condition that leads to scarred lung tissue.
Each year, thousands of Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma, as nearly 13 United States citizens per million people passed away due to mesothelioma from 1999 to 2010. Many of the deaths and illnesses caused by asbestos exposure were a direct result of exposures occurring in New York City.
New York City Asbestos Exposure
From the cities shipyards to construction, the city’s history is filled with prominent landmarks built with asbestos-containing materials. To put a finer point on the problem, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection conducted an asbestos exposure survey in the 1990s and found that 68% of the city’s buildings contained materials with asbestos. This finding led to the staggering estimate that a total of 323 million square feet in the city was constructed with asbestos-containing materials.
New York County has suffered from hundreds of asbestos-related deaths from 1999 to 2013, and the risk of asbestos exposure in the city greatly increased after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. When the Twin Towers collapsed, asbestos fibers and other toxic hazards were released into the air, as the World Trade Center Health Registry estimates that over 400,000 were exposed to asbestos and other hazards during rescue and cleanup efforts.
Other prominent sites that have exposed New Yorkers to asbestos include, but are far from limited to:
- Con Edison
- Fordham University
- Motel Sheraton
- UN Headquarters
- Western Electric
Talk to a New York City Mesothelioma Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been exposed to the harms of asbestos exposure in New York City, our team is here to help you pursue the legal compensation you deserve for a wrongful asbestos exposure. The Ledger Law Firm represents victims of asbestos who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness.
Contact us online to hold responsible parties accountable and let us help you and your loved ones receive the funds you deserve after being diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness.
