NYCHA says Marcy Houses asbestos is cleaned up and air tests are negative after steam leak in Bed-Stuy
A leaking steam vent coated two buildings at 502 and 504 Marcy Ave. with asbestos-laden residue. Heat is back in all nine affected buildings, and the courtyard cleanup is still underway.
Photo: Jim.henderson / Wikimedia Commons · CC0
- NYCHA says asbestos residue left by a steam leak on the outside walls of 502 and 504 Marcy Ave. has been removed, and all 24 in-apartment air monitors tested negative on Friday.
- The leak came from an exhaust vent on an underground line feeding mobile boilers. Residents told Gothamist they had seen the steam for weeks.
- Nine buildings lost heat. NYCHA restored heat to four late Thursday and the other five just after midnight, according to Gothamist.
- Of 23 households offered relocation, four went to a hotel until Oct. 31 and one is staying with family.
- DEP has cleaned the sidewalk, cars and facade; the courtyard is not finished, and outdoor air testing continues until remediation is complete.
The New York City Housing Authority says there are no more traces of asbestos at the Marcy Houses in Bedford-Stuyvesant, days after a leaking steam vent left asbestos-laden residue on the outside walls of two buildings, 502 and 504 Marcy Ave., Gothamist reported Friday.
All 24 air monitors placed in apartments along the affected wall tested negative for asbestos on Friday, the city said, as did tests at the complex's daycare, the management office and the outside of Buildings 4 and 17. A NYCHA spokesperson said exterior air monitoring will continue until the cleanup is complete.
What happened
NYCHA officials told Gothamist the steam came from an exhaust vent for an underground line connected to mobile boilers. Several residents said they had watched white steam billow from the vent for weeks or longer, coating their windows with a white powder. NYCHA said the residue tested positive for asbestos, and the area was restricted, News 12 reported Thursday.
The same problem knocked out heat in all nine buildings served by the line, according to Council Member Chi Ossé and CBS New York, and many apartments also lost hot water. CBS reported that NYCHA found a small amount of trace residue in seven apartments, which was sent for asbestos testing.
Where things stand Friday
- Heat and hot water: restored to four buildings around 11:30 p.m. Thursday and to the remaining five just after midnight, the city told Gothamist.
- Relocations: 23 households along the affected walls were offered temporary moves. Four went to a hotel until Oct. 31 and one chose to stay with family.
- Cleanup: the Department of Environmental Protection has cleaned the sidewalk, parked cars and the building facade, but has not finished the courtyard.
- Notices: residents have received notices with the negative test results, the city said.
CBS reported that NYCHA offered meal gift cards while the outage lasted. Mayor Zohran Mamdani's office did not immediately respond to Gothamist's request for comment Friday; on Thursday the mayor told WNYC he had no update but that serving NYCHA residents is a priority.
Residents with heat, hot water or residue problems can report them to NYCHA or call 311.
- GothamistNYCHA says it's removed asbestos found at Brooklyn's Marcy Houses
- Gothamist'You can't even look out the window': Asbestos dust coats Brooklyn NYCHA building walls
- CBS New YorkSteam leak knocks out heat at all 9 buildings at NYCHA's Marcy Houses complex in Brooklyn
- News 12 BrooklynMarcy Houses tenants relocated after boiler steam leak
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