Asbestos Exposure Harlem
Famous as an African-American residential and cultural center, Harlem was originally established as a Dutch settlement in the mid 17th century, named for the town of Haarlem in Amsterdam. Located in the upper part of Manhattan, Harlem was historically known for its high crime rates and drug problems, but in the last ten years has experienced a period of regentrification that has prompted a rise in property values and the opening of a number of new retail establishments.
Basically a residential area, Harlem did not suffer from the industrial pollution that other parts of the city battled. However, in the late 19th and early 20th century, building in Harlem was rampant and many of the homes, offices, and schools that were erected in the neighborhood to accommodate the growing population contained asbestos, lauded as an excellent insulator.
In recent years, reports of asbestos in Harlem schools have been consistent. In mid-2009, a school district steamfitter reported seeing numerous bags of the material stored in the basement of Harlem’s Park East School following a recent renovation project. This school wasn’t the only one purported to pose a risk of asbestos exposure. Most of the older schools in the neighborhood were built using asbestos, which may have been contained in walls, in floor and ceiling tiles, and even in stage curtains. Any damaged asbestos could eventually cause asbestos-related diseases among faculty, staff, or students.
Old, dilapidated homes or apartments in Harlem may also be ripe with asbestos. Those living in those domiciles may be exposed to airborne fibers daily, especially where asbestos is torn or otherwise damaged. In addition, building owners performing renovations on older buildings in hopes of increasing property values may be putting contractors and others at risk if the proper removal of asbestos does not occur.