MIDTOWN EXPLOSION: VICTIMS, ASBESTOS TESTING, STEAM PIPES

Gothamist writes about asbestos testing (still in progress) and fatality Lois Baumerich and burn victim Gregory McCullough, who both sound like very good people.

NY1 has a little piece on the steam pipe system. The steam heats and cools businesses and residences. It's also used in dry cleaning.

Previous coverage is here.

MIDTOWN EXPLOSION: A MATTER OF TRUST?

Gothamist looks back to the 1989 Gramercy steam pipe explosion and Con Edison's seeming reluctance to recognize asbestos dangers and willingness to take its chances in court:

Back in 1989, when a steam pipe exploded near Gramercy Park, two Con Ed workers and a resident sleeping in her apartment were killed....Residents living in nearby buildings tested the debris, only to find traces of asbestos - which Con Ed never disclosed in the first four days after the explosion. In 1994, the U.S. Attorney's office indicted Con Ed and Con Ed officials for not promptly reporting the presence of hazardous materials, as required by law. Con Ed pleaded guilty, was fined $2 million, and was put on probation (court-supervised monitor). Con Ed also spent $54 million to settle with private parties. Residents were also forced to leave their apartments for many months while the buildings were cleaned; many apartments were looted.

Yesterday I saw footage of firetrucks being washed down. Can Con Edison and the city be trusted to do what it takes to search for contaminants and protect the health of people in the affected area? Should Con Edison be the party offering to collect and eliminate damaged clothing and other property? How well are we applying lessons from the past?

Here's some ABC coverage from yesterday.



Source (2:35)


Previous coverage is here.

MIDTOWN EXPLOSION: ASBESTOS STATEMENTS

From Con Ed at 7:37 am today:

CON EDISON REPORTS ASBESTOS FOUND IN DEBRIS FROM MIDTOWN STEAM-MAIN RUPTURE

Following yesterday’s steam-main rupture at Lexington Avenue and 41st Street, Con Edison and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) conducted extensive air monitoring in the area and tested numerous samples of muddy debris for the presence of asbestos. Air monitoring confirmed no airborne asbestos, however, several of the numerous samples of muddy debris taken from the area were found to contain asbestos.

Anyone who was in that area around 6 p.m. who has dust or debris on clothing or belongings should put them in a plastic bag and bring it to the Con Edison customer service van parked at the corner of Madison Avenue and 42nd Street. The van will be at that location for the next several days from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Con Edison will arrange for the safe disposal of these items. Customer care personnel will be available to help people fill out a reimbursement request.

The New York City Department of Health (DOH) has a fact sheet that provides additional information about asbestos. Visit the DOH Web site for more information by clicking on the following link: http://home2.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/ei/eiasbest.shtml.

Approximately 400 specially trained Con Edison employees and certified contractors, in conjunction with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), worked through the night: performing tests on muddy debris and monitoring the air. Together with the DEP, the company has developed a comprehensive plan to remove muddy debris from buildings, streets and vehicles.
Crews also cleaned muddy debris from Third Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets. The company is working to restore service to electric feeder cables and is running temporary cables. In addition, crews excavated and inspected the gas system for possible damage. Fire trucks that responded to the event were decontaminated.

From nyc.gov at 6:30 am:

UPDATE ON THE CITY’S RESPONSE TO THE STEAM PIPE EXPLOSION
No Air Samples Test Positive for Asbestos, Clean-Up Plan for Debris and Equipment That Tested Positive for Asbestos Began Overnight

Individuals Who Live and Work in the Frozen Zone Will Not be Permitted to Enter the Area During Clean-Up

The City’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) continues to coordinate the inter-agency response to the steam pipe explosion on Lexington Avenue. City agencies continue to operate in the area. All emergencies should be reported to 911.

The following is an update of the City’s response to the affected area:

Department of Environmental Protection
The Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Environmental Compliance has conducted an assessment of air and debris in the area and determined that of eight air samples taken, none tested positive for asbestos. Out of 10 bulk samples – debris and dust – taken from the surrounding area, six registered positive for asbestos and four were negative. With the positive bulk sample readings, DEP will continue testing to further determine the contents of the debris at and away from the site of the explosion.

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
While exposure to asbestos over many years carries known health risks, the brief exposures that people may have experienced after last night’s steam pipe break are not likely to cause long-term health consequences. Developing an asbestos-related illness after being exposed for a short time – even at high levels – is very unlikely. Although we can never say if something is completely safe, from all the information we have obtained, there are unlikely to be long term physical health consequences.

OSHA, the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration, is on-scene to make sure that workers in the area are taking proper precautions.

As detailed during the Mayor’s briefing, people who may came into contact with the steam or debris should take a shower and place their clothes in plastic bags for cleaning or disposal.

People inside buildings in the frozen zone should keep windows closed and switch air-conditioners to re-circulate the air inside instead of drawing in air from outside.

For more information on asbestos please visit:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/ei/eiasbest.shtml

Clean-Up Began Last Night
The clean-up of dirt and debris has begun, led by specially trained contractors. The clean-up of 3rd Avenue has been completed and will be re-opened following electrical work necessary to support the network in the area.

Frozen Zone Remains in Place
In an abundance of caution, and to facilitate an expeditious clean-up, the frozen zone will remain in place. The frozen zone is comprised of the area between 40th Street and 43rd Street and between Vanderbilt Avenue and Third Avenue. While individuals who are already in the frozen zone are permitted to stay where they are, individuals are not permitted to enter the zone from outside the area. As clean-up work progresses, the City will work to shrink the size of the frozen zone.

Members of the media are requested to emphasize to their viewers, listeners, and readers that people who work in the frozen zone, between 40th and 43rd Streets and between Vanderbilt Avenue to Third Avenue, will not be permitted to enter the area on Thursday morning.

Equipment Staging Area Established
A limited-access equipment staging area created by OEM, the NYPD, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene exists from 38th St to 45th St from Park Avenue to 3rd Avenue to allow emergency equipment into the area. While residents and employees of businesses will be allowed into the equipment staging area, vehicles will not be allowed to enter.

Department of Buildings
Buildings inspectors and forensic engineers remain on the scene to assist the Office of Emergency Management with structural assessments and engineering expertise.

Community Assistance Unit
The Mayor's Community Assistance Unit continues to work with affected building owners and local elected officials.

Department of Transportation
The following streets in the area surrounding the steam pipe explosion remain closed to vehicles, as previously announced:

• Lexington Avenue is closed from 57th Street to 34th Street.
• Third Avenue is closed from 38th Street to 42nd Street.
• Park Avenue is closed from 54th Street to 34th Street.
• 42nd Street is closed from Park Avenue to Third Avenue.
• Vanderbilt Avenue is closed for its entire length from 42nd Street to 47th Street.

MTA
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has informed OEM that there are no structural defects or breaches of the subway infrastructure. In addition, no debris from the explosion was found in the subway tunnels in the area.

Metro-North continues to operate regular service into and out of Grand Central Terminal. As announced at the 8:00 briefing, customers may only enter and exit Grand Central via the Met Life Building and Grand Central North at 47th Street.

The 4, 5 and 6 IRT lines have returned to a normal schedule, but service is bypassing Grand Central at reduced speed. The 7 line continues to bypass Grand Central at reduced speed. The 42nd Street Shuttle (S) remains suspended

Passengers on the 4 and 5 lines traveling southbound and headed to destinations near Grand Central are advised to, if possible, transfer to a downtown 6 train at the 59th/Lexington station for service to 51st Street or 33rd Street. Passengers on the 4 and 5 lines traveling northbound and headed to destinations near Grand Central are advised to, if possible, transfer to an uptown #6 train at 14th Street/Union Square station for service to 33rd Street.

Bus Service is re-routed in the vicinity of the area on the M101, M102, M103 and M98. The M104 and M42 buses terminate at Times Square/42nd Street.

Visit WWW.MTA.INFO for details.

NY1 reports that there were about 30 injuries as well as one fatality.

Previous coverage is here.

MIDTOWN EXPLOSION: CITY STATEMENT

While we await the asbestos findings (which I hope are negative, of course), here's the most recent web update from the city:

Due to the manhole/steam pipe explosion at Lexington Avenue and 41st Street near Grand Central Station, people are asked to stay away from the area. NYPD reports that it is not terrorism related and is evacuating the area between 3rd and Lexington Avenues. There is one death and several injuries to report at this time. There is no mandatory evacuation for the residents in the area. Residents are being advised to shelter in place (stay indoors). As for now, there are no official reports of asbestos or toxins in the air.

The area between 40th Street and 43rd Street and between Third and Vanderbilt Avenues has been closed off. New York City Office of Emergency Management is asking everyone to stay away from the area.

Residents who live in area buildings should keep their windows closed and those who were exposed to debris should wash with soap and water, remove their clothing, and put it in a plastic bag. People inside buildings near the blast should keep windows closed and switch air-conditioners to re-circulate the air inside instead of drawing in air from outside. For more information on asbestos, please visit:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/ei/eiasbest.shtml.

Maybe it's just me, but I think this could use a little fleshing out. Like changing

As for now, there are no official reports of asbestos or toxins in the air.

to

As for now, there are no official reports of asbestos or toxins in the air, but until the reports come in people should take some cautionary measures.

Look for the Con Edison update here.

12:30 am Just added to the city site:

Buildings Department forensic engineers have determined that approximately four to six feet of the south side of the crater at 41st and Lexington and approximately three feet of the north side of the crater are in danger of further collapse.

Buildings Department forensic engineers are also inspecting the interiors of four nearby buildings. The engineers have determined the basements are structurally sound, but there is water collected that will need to be removed. Six nearby buildings sustained minor damage to the windows on lower levels.

Previous coverage here.

MIDTOWN EXPLOSION: CON ED PRESS CONFERENCE

Electric and gas seem to be fine. Some steam customers have lost their service.

Sampling for asbestos: no test results back yet.

For now, it's prudent to act as if there were asbestos there.

The Con Ed website now features a press statement that includes the following advisory.

Con Edison is testing for the presence of asbestos, which may be found in the insulation covering older pipes. We do not yet have results of this testing; Con Edison will provide the test results to officials and the public via the local media as soon as the information is available. As a precaution, individuals who were in the area and have debris on their clothing are advised to remove the clothing and seal it in a plastic bag, and then take a shower.

Previous coverage is here.