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The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost borough in New York City. It is also the only borough which is predominantly a part of the mainland U.S. This is unique because the majority of other New York borough's land masses are surrounded by water. Throughout its history, the Bronx has been recognized as a diverse and blue-collar community, with a strong cultural heritage. Regrettably, there have been instances in which the residents of the Bronx have fallen victim to occupational hazards. One of the more common occupational hazards encountered by Bronx residents is exposure to harmful toxins, notably asbestos. In the construction, transport, and energy sectors it is possible that workers may have been exposed to asbestos. It is important for residents of the Bronx to be aware of where harmful exposures may occur. Some are discussed below.
Construction
The majority of the Bronx was at one time a series of low rise residential properties and larger manufacturing plants where the majority of residents worked. Soon, factories were being replaced and by the middle of the 20th century most residences were high-rise apartment buildings. What officially ended the charm of the old Bronx was the 1963 building of the Cross-Bronx expressway which effectively leveled the remaining low-rise properties. This began a much more difficult period for the Bronx as a functioning borough. Low income housing and industrial abandonment became common. These were ideal conditions for the spread of crime and a chronic property value reduction. This period lasted through the 1990's, when the Bronx began somewhat of urban renaissance. New construction, as well as renovation became common sights in the Bronx. These efforts continue today.
Prior to the recent urban renewal experienced by the Bronx, many of its buildings and infrastructure fell into decrepit condition. As these buildings are now modernized and refurbished, asbestos is commonly found. Because asbestos use was discontinued in the late 1970's many buildings removed remaining elements of the harmful material. However, many buildings in the Bronx never received this treatment and asbestos is still in existence today. As refurbishing and renovation efforts continue, those workers who encounter asbestos may not even know that it is present. It was used commonly in factories and residential properties for insulation in a number of different capacities. Common places to find it are within older insulation, piping, and electrical fixtures. The inhalation of asbestos fibers is highly toxic and has been linked to several respiratory complications including mesothelioma.
Factories
Just like many immigrant-based urban beginnings, those of the Bronx were tied to the manufacturing sector. By the time the Irish and other ethnicities began pouring off the boats on Ellis Island; urbanization had pushed much of the manufacturing to the North of Manhattan. Thus, the Bronx became an important center of industrialization for the downstate economy of New York State. Despite the lack of alternative employment, these factories served as an important niche to new residents of the country who were anxious to find any work at all.
The life of immigrant and other early urbanites was often one of struggle. Many had come from fertile, but un-opportunistic farmlands in their home country or other areas to find the only opportunities for them in the larger cities were dirty manufacturing jobs. Factories were dangerous places in this era and with a surplus of labor and deficit of jobs, there was no real incentive for management to correct the problems of these workers because their labor was so expendable. It is regrettable that during this time and for many decades thereafter, jobs in these facilities exposed workers to many dangers. One of the more common hazards a factory worker would encounter is asbestos. Asbestos was not only a material in many manufactured goods, but also used throughout factories as an insulation material on a large number of fixtures. Those who worked on these fixtures or with asbestos products could be at risk of developing asbestos exposure related respiratory illness and other health complications such as mesothelioma.
New York Mass Transit
One of the most memorable aspects of New York City is the hustle and bustle that the city seems to move with. It has an unmistakable pulse to it that is unlike anywhere else on earth. One of the marks of this pulse is the New York City subway line that transports millions of citizens each day. This mass transport system represents an important part of the Bronx economy, in that it provides thousands of jobs for the local residents and transportation for millions others.
There are unfortunately, hazards that arise within subway and other mass transit terminals in a number of forms. One of the more common dangers encountered by workers in these areas is asbestos. Prior to its ban in the late 1970's, asbestos was used extensively in tunnels and transit infrastructure. Because of its insulation qualities it was useful for covering pipes and electrical fixtures, which need an insulator resistant to heat transfer, for which asbestos was particularly suited. Often these asbestos particles could be disturbed and rendered harmful if they were to be inhaled. This poses a particular threat for workers in poorly ventilated areas, such as subway terminals and subterranean infrastructure. Although symptoms of asbestos related illness may not manifest for several years, it is possible that those who worked in the Bronx subway or other mass transit may have been exposed to harmful levels of asbestos particles. This can be a disturbing prospect for the millions who rely upon these mass transit systems for transportation and employment each and every day.
