NYK explosion: mid-life crisis of ageing US infrastructure?

NEW YORK: It was not a terrorist act but the explosion of an ageing steam pipe in mid-Manhattan generated fears of asbestos contamination and public ire about the "mid-life crisis" of infrastructure in much of the US.

One 57-year-old woman died of cardiac arrest as she was fleeing the area of the explosion Wednesday evening and 40 others, including three fire fighters and one police officer, were injured.

The explosion was so strong that people felt buildings in the area would collapse. The cloud of steam lasted more than two hours and was as high as the skyscrapers in the area. The explosion led to a hail of debris and left a crater so wide that a tow truck got stuck in it.

The explosion happened in the mid-eastern part of Manhattan near the Grand Central train terminal during rush hour, causing widespread panic and inconveniencing commuters.

As Con Ed, the utility that manages steam pipes and electricity supply in the city, cut off the feeder to the exploded pipe, police and fire department were able to bring the situation under control within two hours.

By Thursday night, underground train services were restored, but a few blocks around the site of the explosion remained cordoned off. Much of the area around the Grand Central terminal remained closed, hitting businesses there.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg allayed fears of a terrorist hand in the incident. Officials of Con Ed concluded that rain was the likely cause for the steam pipe bursting. When cold water comes into contact with a hot pipe it causes stress on the metal.

Since the pipe belonged to circa 1924, when asbestos was used, health officials feared for the carcinogenic substance contaminating the air in the area. Trace amounts of asbestos were found in the chunks of debris that were tested but air samples tested negative.

Possibility of asbestos contamination was being taken seriously because many people exposed to the polluted 9/11 air continue to come down with a multiple of ailments.

City Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden clarified: "What we're talking about in Midtown is steam primarily and some debris and some insulation material. What we're talking about (with the) 9/11 air was pulverized concrete and building materials." 

The incident has provoked criticism of the ageing infrastructure in American towns and cities.

"This may be a warning sign for this very old network of pipe that we have," said Anil Agrawal, a professor of civil engineering at the City College of New York. "We should not be looking at this incident as an isolated one."

Con Edison insisted its equipment was in good shape. The utility claimed it is spending $20 million this year on upgrades.

But it is not just about pipes. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that it will take $1.6 trillion over the next five years to get US roads, bridges, dams, water systems and airports into good condition.