Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

In response to the death of two firefighters in 2007, the New York City Council passed the 12^th and final piece of legislation prohibiting asbestos work and demolition to occur simultaneously at one site unless Department of Environmental (DEP) officials have given prior approval after inspection.

 

This was the final piece of a bill that addressed how to more safely engage in construction and demolition in buildings that were needing or undergoing asbestos abatement. 

 

Officials claim that to engage in asbestos abatement during demolition of a building creates a risk that would make it so firefighters could not safely respond in the case of an emergency or fire at the site. 

 

Firefighters are always at greater risk occupationally for exposure to asbestos as many buildings that were built before the 1980’s contain asbestos containing materials. Ironically, asbestos was widely used in thousand of building products because of its durability and fireproofing and thermal insulating properties. 

 

When asbestos is in good condition and intact, it does not pose a threat to human health. However, if disturbed, such as in the case of demolition work, building collapse, or a fire, asbestos can become airborne and be inhaled. Once asbestos fibers are taken into the body, the can lodge in the lining of the heart, lungs or abdomen and develop into an incurable cancer known as mesothelioma. Symptoms of mesothelioma do not begin to appear until decades after initial exposure and is a disease that is very hard to diagnose. Avoiding all exposure is the best prevention practice.

 

The fire that prompted the overhauls in legislation around demolition and asbestos removal work resulted in the loss of lives for two firemen. After the fire, it was discovered that a 42 foot section of standpipe designed to supply water in case of fire had been cut and also blocked any escape for the firefighters.

 

This measure, along with eleven others that were passed, will ensure that the 2007 tragedy that could have been so easily avoided with proper safety inspections and regulations will never happen again.