Will Constructing a New Cancer Center Building Cause Cancer?
Asbestos was used in buildings as late as the 1980s so any large building existing during the time could have it. One of those buildings belongs to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). Their planned demolition to create a new building and expand their services has neighbors concerned about asbestos exposure.
MSKCC plans to have a 31-story cancer care pavilion in Manhattan’s Lenox Hill neighborhood up and running by 2030, but first, a building there now must come down, reports the New York Post. That’s created a lot of concern among those living in the area. They’ve started an online Change.org petition claiming the demolition will endanger students in a nearby school.
Toxic Substances in the Building Include Asbestos and Lead Paint
Opponents want a neutral third party to monitor air quality during demolition to raise warnings if it’s not as healthy as MSKCC claims it will be. The hospital filed a report with the city stating that demolition in the area has the “potential for adverse impacts” because of the presence of
- Chemical and radioactive products
- Hazardous waste
- Petroleum storage tanks
- Asbestos-containing materials
- PCB-containing materials
- Lead-based paint
An MSKCC representative told The Post they are following all protocols mandated by the city and state to ensure safety in the area. Asbestos is a repeated concern in Lenox Hill. On August 1, a damaged steam pipe sent asbestos into the air, forcing people indoors.
MSKCC, founded in 1884, is the city’s largest cancer center. As of last year, it employed 1,493 attending physicians, accommodated 25,591 admissions, and had 1,002,206 outpatient visits.
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