Lefrak City
Lefrak City is a large urban housing project located in the Corona section of Queens in New York City. Built for working and lower-class families in the 1960's, Lefrak City features twenty-eight eighteen-story apartment buildings. In addition to the residential buildings, the complex also features two large office buildings, playgrounds, school, and nearly 3,500 parking spaces. Today, nearly 14,000 people live within the LeFrak City complex.
Named after the original developer, Samuel LeFrak, ground was broken for the facility in 1960 and was finished in 1969. Under a “total living" strategy, the philosophy of the complex was to offer in addition to housing, shopping centers, recreation, transportation and other facilities. The original cost of rent was an affordable $40 per air-conditioned room. Demographics have come in waves. Directly following construction, a large jewish population moved into the complex. However, through the 1980's, more and more African American as well as Muslim immigrants from the horn of Africa are calling LeFrak City home.
During the construction of LeFrak city several hazardous conditions existed on the jobsite. One of the more common hazardous situations was the widespread use of asbestos throughout the complex. Asbestos was used up until the later 1970's, when a connection between exposure and respiratory malfunction and illness became evident. Typically, asbestos was used for insulation of walls, piping, electrical fixtures, and other materials.
Asbestos, when inhaled can have serious respiratory health consequences. Upon entering the lungs, asbestos' pin-like fibers will become lodged in the pleural lining of the lung and cause a chronic inflammation, one that can lead to the development of mesothelioma, a form of cancer. Those who worked in the construction of LeFrak city may potentially be at risk for the development of mesothelioma or another asbestos induced illness. In addition, those who have worked in repair or renovations of LeFrak city my also have been exposed to harmful asbestos material. Anyone who believes themselves to be at risk should watch closely the status of their respiratory health.
