Asbestos Use in Albany, NY
Asbestos Exposure in Albany, New York
Albany is the capital of New York, and boasts a rich history with it being one of the oldest surviving settlements from the original thirteen colonies. It is home to four governors who went on to become President of the United States: Martin Van Buren, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
It is also the resting place of President Chester A. Arthur, the 21st President of the U.S. Albany is located at the eastern terminus of the Erie Canal and at the upper reaches of navigation on the Hudson River. Albany has a population of 97,856 (2010 Census).
The 19th century saw Albany become a major transportation hub for both water and rail transport. With its ideal location, many industries sprung up in and around Albany.
During the 19th century, Albany progressed into a major transportation center. With this growth came manufacturing. The city was accessible by stagecoach and wagon. In the early 1830′s travel by rail began with the first journey between Albany and Schenectady. By 1840, the rails extended east to Boston.
The city was also accessible by water via the Erie Canal and the Hudson River. By 1851 a journey could be made the full length of the Hudson from New York City to Greenbush, which was across the river from Albany.
Many Albany residents worked in nearby factories like paper mills in Glen Falls, General Electric in Schenectady and factories in Troy. Workers in power plants, like Niagara Mohawk’s Glenmont Plant, industrial sites like Green Island’s Bendix plant, and factories like Albany Felt were exposed to asbestos. Construction workers who built the state office buildings, like the Empire State Plaza, were also exposed.
The Dangers of Asbestos Exposure
Industrial workers are most susceptible to developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that causes an estimated 3,000 deaths per year nationwide. Often called “asbestos cancer,” mesothelioma is highly aggressive, and currently there is no known cure.
The average survival time is about 12 to 18 months after diagnosis. The disease has an extended latency period and strikes 10 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos.
New York is among the states with the highest number of deaths from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. In the state of New York, nearly 4,000 deaths caused by asbestos exposure have occurred since 1979.
The manufacturers of asbestos products and the companies that supplied asbestos where these men and women worked did not provide adequate information warning of the dangers associated with asbestos exposure. As a result, thousands of workers were exposed to asbestos in the work environment due to inadequate safety equipment.
If you’ve been exposed to asbestos and have concerns on your health, our reliable asbestos attorneys at Belluck & Fox, LLP can certainly help you. Call or visit our locations in New York City and Albany today. See also asbestos exposure in Elmira, NY.