9/11 and Asbestos Exposure
The two towers of World Trade Center in New York City became the victim of terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 a.k.a 9/11. The fall of twin towers led to the release of massive amounts of toxics which included tons of asbestos among other pollutants. Most of this asbestos came from the floor tiles and ceilings which had asbestos as their primary agent. It was discovered that during the construction of World Trade Center, a suspension of asbestos and cement was sprayed to make the building fireproof.
Due to this, large numbers of rescue workers as well as people living or working in the close by areas were exposed to this deadly mineral when they inhaled it. It took a long period of time for asbestos dust and particles to settle and by then numerous people had already inhaled it.
Research shows that there has been an increase in asbestos related diseases several years of the World Trade Center collapse. It was reported that symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and bronchial problems doubled in number after 9/11. These symptoms resemble those of asbestosis and mesothelioma, the malignant cancer caused by asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a dangerous carcinogen as it causes a fatal cancer in human beings. As large number of people inhaled asbestos during the incident of 9/11, many are yet to be diagnosed with this malignant cancer. It may take up to several decades before the results of this harmful carcinogen are discovered.
Post 9/11 Mesothelioma Situation in the US
9/11 not only increased the risk of mesothelioma among New Yorkers, it endangered the lives of people living in other cities too. When the twin towers collapsed, it released tons of concrete, glass, jet fuel and other construction materiel which formed a toxic cloud in the city as well as in the near by cities. According to experts, the toxic debris from the fallen towers reached as far as two miles from ground zero (WTC site). It has also been acknowledged that lighter particles such as asbestos, traveled as far as Pennsylvania, exposing thousands of people to this toxin.
Due to this, people of Pennsylvania are also at risk for developing mesothelioma in the upcoming years due to asbestos inhalation. Asbestos particles are very light and invisible. They can stay airborne for a long time period and travel with air to far and wide areas. Thus, with this incident, mesothelioma risk in many cities of US has gone up.
Study Reports
After 9/11, a study was carried out to inspect the dust particles and debris of the World Trade Center by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It was found that though the outdoor atmosphere in lower Manhattan preceding 9/11 contained asbestos, it was below industrial level and thus no action was taken. However, the controversy over the presence of asbestos in the air pervading the city of New York is no closer to an end.
According to the medical practitioners, unlimited exposure and inhalation of asbestos causes mesothelioma. However, due to long latency period of the disease; it may take up to 40 years for the symptoms of mesothelioma to appear. Even before 9/11, numerous mesothelioma cases were being reported due to asbestos processing plants and natural deposits of asbestos all over the US especially Georgia, Montana and California. The 9/11 incident further aggravated this situation as it led to the release of massive amounts of asbestos dust in New York and other US cities.
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