The Hidden Danger in Long Island’s Historic Neighborhoods: Why Aging Infrastructure Poses Serious Asbestos Risks
Long Island’s charming older neighborhoods, with their historic architecture and established communities, represent decades of American homebuilding tradition. However, beneath the surface of these beloved communities lies a potentially dangerous legacy that homeowners and prospective buyers must understand: 30% of homes in New York were built before 1940, and more than half the houses still standing today were built before 1980, which is the unofficial demarcation line separating asbestos’ peak usage and phasing out.
Understanding the Scope of Long Island’s Asbestos Challenge
The widespread use of asbestos in construction materials presents a significant concern for Long Island residents. Asbestos fibers have been used in a variety of building materials since the late 1800s, such as roofing materials, ceiling and floor tiles, paper and cement products, wall plaster and thermal insulations, and can be found in almost all buildings constructed prior to 1989. This means that countless homes across Nassau and Suffolk counties potentially contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that could pose health risks if disturbed.
Because of these properties, asbestos fibers have been used in a variety of building materials since the late 1800s, such as roofing materials, ceiling and floor tiles, paper and cement products, wall plaster and thermal insulations. Asbestos can be found in almost all buildings constructed prior to 1989. The reality is sobering: more than half of U.S. homes were built with asbestos in or around the walls, floorboards, ceiling tiles, roof tiles, insulation, pipes and electrical wires. If they weren’t refurbished within the last 30 years, then the degraded “legacy” asbestos poses a risk to all inhabitants.
The Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure
The health implications of asbestos exposure cannot be understated. When it’s damaged, it can be crushed into microscopically thin fibers. They’re so small that you can breathe them in without realizing it — and once they’re in there, they can build up in your respiratory tract and cause health problems. These diseases include lung cancer, digestive tract cancer, mesothelioma (a cancer in the lining of the lungs or stomach), and asbestosis (lung scarring).
What makes asbestos particularly insidious is its latency period. Asbestos-related diseases can take decades to show up. And whether or not you develop a disease depends on how long you were exposed and how intense that exposure was. This delayed manifestation means that residents may be unknowingly at risk for years before any symptoms appear.
Common Locations of Asbestos in Older Long Island Homes
Homeowners in older Long Island communities should be aware of where asbestos is most commonly found. The most common types of asbestos-containing materials in NYCHA apartments are vinyl asbestos floor tiles, insulation on pipes, and the surface coating on ceilings. Additionally, insulation materials, such as those used for pipes, boilers, and ductwork, were commonly manufactured with asbestos in the past. This poses a significant health risk, as disturbed or deteriorating asbestos insulation can release harmful fibers into the air.
Other common locations include ceiling tiles, wall plaster, roofing materials, and even some older appliances that were designed to be fire-resistant. Asbestos-containing materials are not harmful unless they are disturbed or damaged, which is why renovation projects in older homes require special precautions.
Renovation Risks and “Legacy Asbestos”
One of the most dangerous scenarios occurs during home renovation projects. Any attempt to make an old home look new again could be dangerous. Renovation projects open up dangerous exposure doorways. “Legacy asbestos” refers to the presence of old, deteriorating asbestos in old, deteriorating buildings. Any disruption can send sharp fragments into the air. Since renovation jobs often require breathing in tight, asbestos-filled spaces, working without protective equipment can lead to potentially deadly exposure.
This is particularly concerning for Long Island’s many do-it-yourself homeowners who may unknowingly disturb asbestos-containing materials during renovation projects. When the products are cut, damaged or deteriorated, they can release harmful asbestos fibers into the air. In some homes, damaged asbestos construction materials may need to be removed before the home is safe enough to live in. Homeowners will need to hire a licensed professional to safely handle the removal. Only asbestos abatement professionals should remove and dispose of asbestos from an old home.
New York’s Strict Asbestos Regulations
New York State and New York City have implemented some of the nation’s most comprehensive asbestos regulations. DEP has regulated handling of asbestos since 1987. Before asbestos is disturbed, approval from DEP is required. New York City building owners are responsible for having an asbestos survey performed by a DEP-certified asbestos investigator to determine if asbestos-containing materials (ACM) may be disturbed during the course of work on their building.
Failure to perform an asbestos survey to determine the presence of ACM prior to the commencement of work, or failure to retain a licensed asbestos abatement contractor to file a project notification will result in penalties ranging from $1,200-$10,000 per infraction. These strict regulations underscore the seriousness with which New York treats asbestos exposure risks.
The Importance of Professional Assessment and Removal
Given the complexity of asbestos regulations and the serious health risks involved, professional assessment and removal services are essential for Long Island homeowners. Companies like Green Island Group Corp., based in Bohemia, specialize in providing comprehensive asbestos abatement services throughout Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and NYC. Green Island Group specializes in asbestos abatement, demolition services, and more servicing Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and NYC. Our mission is to help as many homeowners return to a safe, secure environment as possible.
Professional Asbestos Removal Long Island services ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations while protecting both workers and residents from exposure. We follow NYS, NYC, and USEPA regulations to ensure proper removal and protection of workers and occupants. With over 5,000 completed restoration projects in the New York State area, experienced companies understand the unique challenges of working in Long Island’s diverse housing stock.
Taking Action: What Long Island Homeowners Should Do
For Long Island homeowners living in older properties, the first step is professional assessment. Asbestos may still be found in many different building materials and products, regardless of their age. Therefore, the only way to definitively know is to have samples of the material in question analyzed. This is particularly important before undertaking any renovation, repair, or demolition work.
Homeowners should never attempt to handle suspected asbestos-containing materials themselves. There’s no safe way to find, handle, repair or remove asbestos yourself — it’s always a job for a professional. Professional abatement companies have the proper equipment, training, and certifications necessary to safely identify, contain, and remove asbestos while minimizing exposure risks.
Protecting Long Island’s Future
As Long Island’s older neighborhoods continue to evolve and modernize, addressing the asbestos legacy in aging infrastructure remains a critical public health priority. Recent EPA actions, including the final Risk Evaluation for Asbestos Part 2: Supplemental Evaluation Including Legacy Uses and Associated Disposals of Asbestos, where EPA determined that legacy uses of asbestos that result in asbestos exposure significantly contribute to the unreasonable risk presented by asbestos, underscore the ongoing importance of proper asbestos management.
By understanding the risks, following proper procedures, and working with qualified professionals, Long Island homeowners can protect their families while preserving the character and value of their historic communities. The key is awareness, preparation, and professional expertise – ensuring that Long Island’s rich architectural heritage can be enjoyed safely for generations to come.