#15 - Asbestos
from Think As You Walk with Ariel Hosted by Ariel Zorrilla
New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is a well-known social determinant of health. Buildings are deteriorating and residents are bombarded with every health and quality of life issue imaginable. While less prevalent, lead and asbestos are also NYCHA problems, both linked to irreversible health effects such as neurological damage and lung cancers. Asbestos fibers in particular pose a danger to anyone who inhales them after years of exposure—worse if you're a smoker. Most asbestos-related diseases are diagnosed at least 15 years after initial exposure. A 2018 NYS Department of Health assessment found 83 percent of inspected homes to have at least one severe hazard. While Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors on average, for those who live in the projects, the percentage of time indoors is likely higher due to environmental factors like rampant crime, limited green spaces, and the pandemic. There's a ton to unpack here, this has always disturbed me to my core. If you're seeing neglectful practice from contractors or exposed asbestos trashed in commercial dumpsters, please submit a complaint at: https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02197
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