Asbestos-containing materials in New York City buildings

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) carried out a survey to assess the public's risk of exposure in buildings to in-place asbestos-containing materials (ACM). Data regarding the presence of in-place asbestos and the potential for exposure to asbestos were collected in 886 buildings from 16 different building categories in New York City. Overall 68% of the buildings in New York City contain ACM. The estimated total amount of ACM in the city is 323 million ft2 most of which is thermal system insulation. Overall, 16% of all ACM had greater than 10% of its surface damaged and another 68% of ACM had some, but less than 10% of its surface damaged. About half of all ACM is in mechanical spaces within buildings. On the basis of results of the survey, buildings in New York City were prioritized for management and an in-place management bill was introduced into the New York City Council.