The Collapse of the Twin Towers and Respiratory Disease
The effects of the collapse of the World Trade Centers can never fully be measured, including the extent of health risks to those who were on site. Since September 11, 2001 many people have suffered and some have died as a result of breathing in toxins released during the collapse and burning of the towers.
Thousands of first responder rescue workers at Ground Zero have been diagnosed with health problems related to their exposure to the clouds of debris and smoke that hung in the air for days and to some extent weeks after the collapse of the towers. Thousands of clean up crew members and individuals living in and around the area also continue to suffer from chronic respiratory ailments. At least two deaths due to respiratory disease have been confirmed as directly caused by exposure.
What’s causing the health problems? Consider that the two towers contained an estimated 400 tons of asbestos fiber. This asbestos and other toxins such as mercury was mixed in the pulverized concrete dust that was breathed in by everyone in the vicinity.
Because of the direct link between Mesothelioma and asbestos exposure, anyone who was in or around Ground Zero should be regularly screened for respiratory and other health problems, especially first responders, clean up crew members, World Trade Center employees and local residents.