Effects of post-9/11 Asbestos Exposure May Not Manifest For Several Decades
The tragic events of September 11, 2001 will never be forgotten, and for the thousands of New York City residents who witnessed it firsthand, the memory is still very vivid. Unfortunately, one of the most important health-related issues stemming from the fall of the Twin Towers may not be on the minds of those who were near to Ground Zero on that day – the long-term effects of exposure to asbestos.
Like approximately 30 million other buildings in the U.S. built before the formation of asbestos-usage laws, the Twin Towers were constructed using asbestos materials, including insulation, drywall and ceiling tiles. Asbestos products are not necessarily dangerous until they are damaged or disturbed, and when the World Trade Center towers fell, asbestos fibers became friable and were released into the air surrounding Ground Zero.
Countless individuals inhaled the fibers, and because the fibers have a claw-like structure, some remain lodged inside the mesothelium, or lining of the body’s internal organs. Eventually, these fibers can form a malignancy known as mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer that affects about 3,000 people annually and has no known cure.
Those considered to be at a high risk of developing malignant mesothelioma include World Trade Center employees, firefighters and other first responders, and the volunteers who participated in cleanup efforts following the disaster. These individuals may not experience symptoms of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses for several more decades, so it is absolutely crucial that they monitor their respiratory health closely.
For those who may have been exposed to asbestos following the 9/11 disaster, the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City has founded the World Trade Center Health Effects Treatment Program, which provides diagnosis and treatment for asbestos-related and other diseases.
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