UES Asbestos Scare Update; Con Ed ‘Awaiting Air Test Results’

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY – Officials warned residents of one of the Upper East Side’s toniest corridors – Park Avenue at 69th Street – to stay inside and close windows, after the presence of debris containing asbestos was confirmed following a steam leak on Wednesday night.

“Con Edison crews remain at the scene of Wednesday’s steam leak,” Con Edison told Patch, in a statement.

“The crews made significant progress overnight, completing cleaning of sidewalks, the street surface, and vehicles. Once the cleanup is completed, crews will excavate to determine the damage to the steam main and plan repairs. Ten customers remain out of service. Tests on debris showed the presence of asbestos, but Con Edison is awaiting complete air sampling results.”

Asbestos, an odorless mineral, was used for construction in the past, particularly as insulation. Unfortunately, the material is linked to various types of lung disease, including mesothelioma, a serious cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Steam pipes provide power and heating – or cooling – in Manhattan, mostly to larger buildings. Many of the older pipes were coated in asbestos for insulation.

Subterranean pipe explosions, and subsequent asbestos releases, are one of the many idiosyncratic – and rare – hazards of life in New York City.

A major explosion occurred in the Flatiron in 2018, resulting in the displacement of 500 people.

This is a developing story, check back here for updates.