The World Trade Center - Cleanup at Ground Zero

Most people watched their televisions in shock as the events of 9/11 unfolded. Tens of thousands of people were involved, and many continue to be affected from the attacks. For the workers who helped clean up the destruction, as well as those who lived and worked near the World Trade Center, one of the recurring concerns is asbestos exposure.

A fact sheet, which was produced by the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health, states "Asbestos was a major material used in the construction of the World Trade Center."

The effort to clean up the tons of concrete and steel took months. Ground Zero, the site of the World Trade Center, was an empty reminder of the disaster when the work was finally completed. In the debris, asbestos was present from the first 40 floors of the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Many of the workers were unprotected as thousands joined in the massive cleanup effort. For more information about asbestos and the World Trade Center, please see The World Trade Center - Asbestos use in Construction. If you or someone you know was involved in cleanup in the area, read Asbestos Cancer to learn more about the health risks associated with cleanup in the area.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can develop once someone is exposed to asbestos. However, the disease does not typically reveal itself for at least 20 years after the initial asbestos exposure has occurred. Those who contract the disease are often workers who were not warned about the dangers associated with working with asbestos.

Asbestos fibers are very fine and are easily inhaled into the body. Once inhaled, they often lodge themselves within the lining of the lungs and remain there for several decades. These fibers are indestructible and the body can not break them down.

To date, there is no cure for mesothelioma cancer and standard chemotherapy does not work to alleviate or shrink the mesothelioma tumors. However, a new drug called Alimta has recently been approved as a chemotherapy drug specifically designed for pleural mesothelioma. Alimta is usually combined with Cisplatin, another chemotherapy medication, and is found to have a positive effect on pleural mesothelioma when the patient is not a candidate for surgery.

With tragedies such as the World Trade Center, the long term effects on the thousands of people who helped clean up are yet to be known. If you or a loved one are experiencing any respiratory difficulties post 9/11, it is best to contact a mesothelioma attorney to discuss Your Legal Rights. Treating asbestos-related diseases is an expensive endeavor, and speaking with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer about the legal options available could result in financial assistance to help pay for medical expenses. For more information on qualified mesothelioma lawyers, please fill out the form at the top, right corner of this page or call 800-615-2270.