Queens
Queens represents the largest in land-mass and second most populous borough of New York City. Like other boroughs, Queens originated from immigrant roots, establishing a vibrant and diverse community. As an industrial and predominantly blue collar community, many of Queens' residents were employed in factory and other industrial settings. It is possible that while employed in these facilities, workers could have been exposed to asbestos in a number of occupations such as manufacturing, airports, power plants, and even in schools.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing was the early engine that drove the Queens community several factories across the borough were erected and manned by immigrant families who had recently come to the country in search of a better life in America. Like much of America, the manufacturing sector seems to be entering a phase of less relevance in Queens. Several of the factories have left or moved. In their heyday however, these factories were a necessary part of an growing region of the New York Metropolitan area. Industries that still remain include the headquarters for Bulova, Glaceau, and JetBlue airlines.
Many early industries that were supporting the growing populations of Queens utilized crowded warehouses and factories, which provided jobs and a sense of American work ethic for thousands who worked in them. Unfortunately several of these factories may have exposed their employees to harmful toxins, which were a sad reality of early industrial life. One of the more common toxins that workers have been exposed to in the manufacturing sector is asbestos. Asbestos was used in many facets of industry up until the latter half of the 20th century. Before its health consequences were known asbestos was used extensively in settings where insulation was necessary. Several industries required these insulation qualities so asbestos could be found in almost anything, including roofing materials, foam or spray insulation, and other products. While all workers may not have worked with these materials, they may very well have been exposed to them while in a manufacturing environment.
Airports
The borough of Queens is home to two of the largest airports in the world. John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia International Airport are both located within the borough's confines, which is the landing area for several first time visitors to the United States. Named after NY mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, who once famously cursed the travel from Newark Airport to the city, Laguardia opened as a modern airport facility in 1939. John F. Kennedy International, named in memorial to the late former president, opened in 1963 in Southeastern Queens.
These airports were important parts of the Queens economy and provided jobs for many of its residents. Unfortunately, airports are common areas which exposure to toxic materials can occur. One of these materials is asbestos. Asbestos is often encountered in airport hangers where repairs to older planes take place. Asbestos was used extensively up until 1980 in aircraft construction because of its resistance to temperature extremes. This proved especially useful in aircraft construction where weather extremes are important aspects of travel between climate zones of the atmosphere. Temperatures can change from very hot to very cold quickly, and the integrity of the aircrafts construction must be maintained for the safety of its passengers and crew. Workers, who maintained aircraft prior to 1980 and older aircraft thereafter, may have been exposed to asbestos laden insulation material.
Power Plants
Power plants and associated infrastructure are a necessity of any densely populated area such as the boroughs of New York City, and the borough of Queens is no exception. These power plants are integral for providing electricity and other utilities to more than a million residents of Queens. Consolidated Edison, which operates many power plants and related infrastructure in the NY metropolitan area, is responsible for much of the power grid that powers Queens.
In the summer of 2006, a power outage in Queens, which caused many residents to lose power for days, raised many questions as to the integrity of the NY grid in general. Other Con Edison incidents involving steam line ruptures have occurred in other city boroughs. One of the staples of older energy fixtures is the presence of asbestos. Asbestos could be used to insulate plumbing, gas, or in the case of power plants, electrical fixtures. Those who service the Con Edison and other city grids could be exposed to asbestos in any number of different capacities. Asbestos is dangerous when inhaled and was outlawed in the United States in the past quarter century as a building or insulation material. Unfortunately, these older fixtures are still encountered by many each day in the process of doing their jobs.
Schools
The schools of Queens represent an American value placed upon education for everyone of its citizens. Public schools are an institution that America is proud of, and rightfully should be, as that same privilege is not extended to all children of the world. Immigrant families and their children have attended schools in Queens since the foundation of Queens Co., representing an aspect of the American dream realized.
Unfortunately several of these schools remain in poor condition and in need of renovation. As recently as 2006, asbestos was found in a Queens elementary school resulting in its immediate closure and a delayed start to the school year. Teachers who work in these schools may have been exposed to asbestos, which was used for many purposes when these schools were built. Common areas in which asbestos is found include plumbing, electrical, and heating/air conditioning fixtures which require the insulating qualities found in asbestos.
