One health expert has broken down what asbestos is as the toxic material was found on board Pete Davidson and Colin Jost’s decommissioned Staten Island ferry in 2022
One health expert has weighed in on Pete Davidson and Colin Jost’s asbestos problem on their Staten Island ferry(Image: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
A health expert has weighed in on the future of Pete Davidson and Colin Jost’s Staten Island ferry project after asbestos was found aboard the decommissioned vessel.
In 2022, Pete and Colin purchased the retired MV John F. Kennedy ferry at a city auction for $280,100, with plans to transform it into a nightlife venue. But later, their Staten Island ferry project faced a major setback as it was discovered that it was full of asbestos, which is a toxic material that can be life-threatening if inhaled.
After the concerning discovery, the Saturday Night Live alums were forced to backpedal and undergo extensive and costly asbestos abatement to the ship. Now, one health expert has explained what exactly asbestos is, how it could be harmful to anyone on board, and what it could mean for the future of the ferry.
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In an exclusive interview with The Mirror US, Karen Selby, a registered nurse at The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com, explained what the toxic substance is and how it is formed. She said, “Asbestos is a mineral that was used to fireproof and strengthen materials. It was used heavily in the industrial age because it was cheap and powerful.”
Selby went on to add, “Over time, people learned it led to cancer, and manufacturers began to phase it out as they faced lawsuits from workers and others exposed to asbestos. The mineral can resemble sharp, thin needles. If damaged, those fibers become airborne. When a person inhales them, the sharp fibers become embedded in human tissue, potentially leading to cancer in later years.”
Pete and Colin bought the decommissioned ferry for $280,100(Image: Getty Images)
Selby explained that it was not unlikely for asbestos to be found on a vessel as old as the MV John F. Kennedy ferry. She explained, “This ferry was launched in 1965, when asbestos was a common pipe insulator on boats. It was also added to the inside boat panels as a fire retardant. Anecdotal evidence suggests a ferry of this age and in a state of disrepair is highly likely to contain asbestos.”
Weighing in on how exposure could be harmful to those working on board, Selby said, “There is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Anyone who walks into that boat without proper safety equipment could be exposed to asbestos, which leads to mesothelioma, asbestosis, and asbestos-related lung cancer.”
Asbestos was found on board the ship in 2022(Image: Mirrorpix)
She continued, “That means repair crews and others can be exposed. Another problem is that airborne asbestos fibers can be carried home on workers’ clothes, placing family members and others who live at home at risk of secondary exposure.”
Speaking on the harmful long-term effects of asbestos exposure, Selby explained, “The most dangerous long-term issue related to asbestos exposure is mesothelioma, an incurable and aggressive cancer whose symptoms don’t appear until 20 to 60 years after exposure. Asbestos can also lead to lung cancer and another less serious condition known as asbestosis.”
The ship they purchased had to undergo extensive asbestos abatement (Image: Getty Images)
Concluding her thoughts on the harmful effects of asbestos, Selby said, “People should be aware that old vessels like this one most likely contain asbestos. If the ship is damaged or in disrepair, asbestos fibers could become airborne and pose a danger to anyone onboard or to anyone who comes into contact with those who were onboard. It’s essential to be aware of the dangers of asbestos exposure and know where to look for it to prevent disease.”
While there were talks of Pete and Colin selling the ferry, they have now set their sights on using the vessel for other forms of venue. Most recently, the comedians rented the ferry out to be used in a Nike advertising campaign for the New York City Marathon.
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