The legacy of asbestos in Central New York (CNY) is a complex and enduring issue, one that continues to impact the health and well-being of workers and veterans long after its heyday. As an expert in environmental litigation, I find this topic particularly fascinating, as it highlights the unintended consequences of industrial progress and the challenges we face in addressing them.
CNY's history is intertwined with various industries, from manufacturing to construction, transportation, and military operations. These sectors, which once thrived, relied heavily on asbestos due to its low cost and versatility. However, the very qualities that made asbestos attractive also made it deadly.
Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, was widely used in buildings, machinery, and electrical components. Its presence is still evident today, with contaminated materials found in various locations, including a former dairy farm in Frankfort, New York. The problem lies in the mineral's microscopic fibers, which become airborne when disturbed, leading to inhalation or ingestion and, ultimately, chronic conditions such as lung cancer.
One thing that immediately stands out is the disproportionate risk faced by veterans. Many military installations, including those in CNY, utilized asbestos-containing materials before the full extent of its health risks was understood. This means that thousands of ex-military personnel in the region may have been exposed, and their exposure didn't end with their service. Many transitioned to civilian jobs where asbestos exposure was still prevalent.
The data is alarming. Between 1999 and 2017, Onondaga County alone saw over 405 asbestos-related deaths, with the surrounding counties adding nearly 400 more. Across New York State, over 15,200 casualties were recorded during the same period, with most linked to lung cancer. These numbers highlight the devastating impact of asbestos exposure and the need for better record-keeping and prevention measures.
What many people don't realize is that the challenge in addressing asbestos-related lung cancer today is not a lack of knowledge about the hazard itself but the inability to reconstruct exposure histories. Workplaces typically maintain records, but these were designed for employment requirements and regulatory compliance, not for tracking long-term occupational histories. This means that workers and veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related ailments face the additional burden of piecing together their exposure histories from incomplete and scattered records.
The Honoring Our PACT Act is a step in the right direction, but it doesn't address the need for a unified log of occupational asbestos exposure records. I believe it's crucial to empower OSHA to enforce long-term retention of these records, even after businesses close or change ownership. Additionally, various agencies and organizations should collaborate to develop resources to aid workers, including self-employed individuals, in reconstructing their exposure histories.
Without a comprehensive system, critical information remains fragmented, hindering medical understanding, research, and prevention efforts. Building a lasting record of this crisis is essential to protecting the very people who built and continue to support our communities. It's time to address this shortfall and ensure the health and safety of those who have contributed so much.
