Upper East Side residents urged to stay indoors after possible asbestos exposure

UPPER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11) – Crews were still working to clean up Thursday after a steam pipe leak sent asbestos-containing debris into the air, according to New York City Emergency Management.

The leak happened on Wednesday near Park Avenue between East 69th and 70th streets. Residents are still advised to stay indoors and close their windows, NYCEM Executive Director Aries Dela Cruz told PIX11.

The cleanup was expected to be completed by 2 p.m. The sidewalks in the area opened up as of Thursday afternoon, Dela Cruz wrote on X.

Residents living in apartments at 709 Park Ave. through 715 Park Ave. can return home. If they need to leave, they can go north, according to Dela Cruz.

Steam billowed onto the street as cars and buses were redirected from the area, video from Citizen App on Wednesday showed.

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection is monitoring the air quality, NYCEM told PIX11 News. When asked about air quality testing, a spokesperson for the DEP referred PIX11 News to NYCEM.

The mayor's office did not immediately return a request for clarification on which department is handling air quality testing.