Grand Central Station

History of Grand Central Station

Located in the heart of Manhattan, Grand Central Station serves as the gateway for railway passengers coming into and leaving New York City. The first 'Grand Central' was built by Commodore Vanderbilt in 1871. It was eventually closed due to accidents caused by low visibility associated with smoke produced by steam engines. In the early 1900s, New York officials decided a large hub was needed that could accommodate the new electric powered locomotives. Since the electric powered engines did not produce as much smoke in comparison with earlier steam engines, it was decided that most of the track could be constructed underground, thus allowing for construction above the new station.

The new Grand Central Terminal was to be located between 42nd and 46th streets in Manhattan. Construction of Grand Central Terminal began in 1903 and was completed in 1913. Other famous landmarks were built around the new Grand Central in later years including the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and the Chrysler Building.

After the second World War, the state of Grand Central declined. There were proposals to raze the famous Terminal in order to make way for development. However, in 1967 New York City's Landmark Preservation Committee established Grand Central's landmark status and saved it from demolition. After years of legal haggling, the Supreme Court upheld New York City's landmark decision in 1978.

Metro-North purchased Grand Central Terminal in 1983 and began a long process of restoration throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The work was finally completed in 1998, bringing Grand Central back to its original splendor. Today, Grand Central Terminal has evolved to include several stores, restaurants, and it even hosts gala events while still serving as the main railway station in New York City. Over 400,000 commuters pass through Grand Central each day.

Grand Central Station Workers Exposed to Asbestos?

Grand Central Terminal was such a large and prominent building that it required a great deal of heat and electricity. Many areas in the terminal including its heating ducts, and generators contained asbestos products. Asbestos insulation often needs to be cut in order to make it fit the particular project. As construction and maintenance occurred, asbestos dust would become airborne creating a potentially hazardous environment. Those who worked during maintenance or construction at Grand Central Terminal could have been exposed. Since the dust was airborne, it did not stay in one particular place, so anyone who worked in Grand Central Terminal could have been exposed.

A great number pipefitters were exposed to asbestos while working at Grand Central. Between 1960 and 1980 many pipefitters were contracted to remove asbestos insulation and replace it with newer products. The miles of piping systems were often surrounded by asbestos block insulation, which is a form of insulation where a mixture of products including asbestos was formed into blocks around the pipes. These pipefitters would break the block insulation apart, throwing considerable amounts of asbestos dust into the air as they worked. They would be literally covered from head to foot in the white powder, earning them the nickname of 'snowmen'.

It became known in 1987 when a report from the Attorney General for the state of New York and one from the Metropolitan Transit Authority made it public that the dust was asbestos and that the workers would need new safety equipment and procedures. Some of these so-called 'snowmen' of Grand Central have tried to sue for damages, but have been unsuccessful as they do not show any of the diseases related to asbestos exposure. Asbestos diseases have a long latency period between exposure and diagnosis so these men are still at risk to develop mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer only caused by asbestos exposure that attacks the lining around the lungs, heart or abdomen.