
Con Ed employees accepting bagged clothing at 22nd Street and Broadway (Photo courtesy of Con Ed)
By Sabina Mollot
In the wake of Thursday’s steam-pipe explosion, the city has confirmed the presence of asbestos. Sixteen inspectors from the Department of Environmental Protection have been tasked with investigating the presence of any asbestos in nearby buildings while the site of the explosion is also being monitored.
On Friday, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued an air quality health advisory for the whole city through 11 p.m. The agency’s warning noted that active children and adults as well as anyone with respiratory problems reduce “prolonged or heavy exertion” outdoors.
The public is still being warned to stay away from the immediate area, where there are still emergency crews at work.