Burst pipe dislodges asbestos at Syracuse University plant, prompts asbestos concernsSyracuse, NY - At Syracuse University in New York State, a burst pipe at one university property has some officials concerned. The burst pipe at the university's Taylor Street steam plant displaced asbestos that was previously encapsulated safely. The incident occurred when steam build-up blew a gasket.
According to Kevin Morrow, director of SU news services, the gasket had been shut down for maintenance, and when it was turned on to test it after work on the gasket was complete, a pipe burst.
"Escaping high-pressure steam disturbed some encapsulated asbestos on nearby piping, resulting in fine particles being dispersed into the air," he said. No airborne asbestos has been detected at the site, however.
Asbestos exposure has often been cited as the primary cause of the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Mesothelioma is caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure, and affects less than 3,000 Americans each year. While there are treatment methods available, there is no known cure. Mesothelioma typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms, and the majority of patients succumb to this cancer in less than two years following diagnosis.
Project Orange President Adam Victor questioned the safety protocols put in place by university officials. He said, "SU's executives appear to be continuing to make questionable decisions that risk the well-being of the entire community that depends on the steam system." Project Orange is an independent contractor that formerly operated a plant that provided services for the school.
