Asbestos burst from a steam pipe on Harrison Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts Wednesday night. The pipe broke just before 10 p.m., reports WBZ TV.
The pressure of the burst sent the stream of hazardous asbestos high in the air, where it then fell onto parked cars. The asbestos that was released came from the pipe’s covering.
Although no one was hurt, and there is no major threat to the public, the highly hazardous material is dangerous. For when airborne asbestos particles are inhaled, for an extended period time, those exposed are put at risk for contracting lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.
mesothelioma is an aggressive asbestos-related cancer, known to form from the protective lining of many of the body’s internal organs. The disease affects nearly 3,000 Americans each year.
Symptoms of the disease lie dormant for several decades. Because of this, mesothelioma doctors struggle to diagnose patients in the early stages of their disease. And once diagnosed, patients must undergo palliative clinical therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiation or mesothelioma surgery. At this time, there is no mesothelioma cure.
The pipe has been capped, and environmental crews are decontaminating the leak area. Health Officials are also running tests for asbestos, in order to ensure the public isn’t at risk. Harrison Avenue has been blocked off from the public.