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The World Trade Center - Ongoing Health Issues

Thousands of people lost their lives in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks, but the horror of this tragedy is still continuing on for many people, as the collapse of the towers have caused a number of recurring health problems for both rescue workers and people in or near the towers when they went down.

Almost all members of the New York City fire department responded to the attacks at some point during the first week of rescue and clean up efforts. According to Health reports compiled by the Chief Medical Officer of the Bureau of Health Services, a staggering 99% of all firefighters responding to the tragedy reported at least one new respiratory problem believe to be caused by their work at Ground Zero. (This does not include conditions that had previously been reported.)

Unfortunately, rescue workers were not the only ones affected. Residents of New York City living near the World Trade Center have dealt with myriad respiratory problems, as well as nausea and headaches, since the time of attacks. In addition, many have seen pre-existing conditions worsen over time.

Health problems arose mainly because of the dust created by the buildings' collapse. Dust was reported as far away as New Jersey, and those living in the immediate area were hardest hit. In addition, a number of metals and chemicals used in the building of the World Trade Center were included in the dust and debris, and many of these substances are potentially quite hazardous. Workers continue to suffer the effects of exposure to these materials. Concerns about exposure are as follows:

* Cadmium and chromium, used in welding, drilling, sawing, and other deconstruction efforts, can cause cancer over time.

* Lead, once used in paint and pipes, can gradually cause nervous system damage, infertility, anemia, and damage to the kidneys and stomach.

* Benzene, used in varnishes and paints, can eventually cause leukemia.

* Methylene Chloride, Toluene, and Tricholoroethyle, also used in varnishes and paints, can, over time, cause cancer and damage to the liver and kidneys.

* Epoxy Resin, used to treat hardwood floors and concrete walls, can cause asthma to develop.

* Polyurethane, used mainly in sealants, can cause cancer and lung problems.

* Coal Tar Pitch, used in roofing work, can cause skin and lung cancer

It is important to note that while these substances are normally found in many places in our everyday lives, they became highly toxic when the World Trade Centers collapsed, as this caused these substances to break down and become a fine dust. The dust could then be breathed in or swallowed, allowing the substances to enter the body.

The health conditions listed above are all long-term effects of exposure to the substances found at Ground Zero. Unfortunately, many people in the area when the towers collapsed, especially rescue workers who were the first to respond, are just now beginning to see these problems. Short-term health problems have included burns on the skin, eye and nose irritation, and difficulty breathing.

However, another serious threat has been looming over World Trade Center rescue workers, clean-up crews, and employees, as well as residents who live in the proximity of Ground Zero - asbestos, a toxic mineral that can eventually cause mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs.

The type of asbestos found at the World Trade Center is known as white asbestos. This asbestos is considered the safest of all asbestos types, but it is by no means completely safe. According to reports by Mesothel.com, when the Twin Towers collapsed, 2000 tons of asbestos was released into the air, putting thousands of people at risk for developing mesothelioma.

Asbestos attacks the body over time and asbestos diseases can take decades to develop. When a person breathes in the asbestos fibers, which are jagged and sharp, they tear or stick into the linings of the heart, lungs, and stomach and cannot be expelled. Over time, the body tries to repair these tears, which causes scar tissue to develop. This alone can cause respiratory and digestive problems, although most people never see symptoms. However, the scar tissue is volatile, and the cells can easily mutate, becoming cancerous. By the time most people experience symptoms, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body as well, making it hard to treat.

The best way to prevent serious 9/11-related health problems is to continually monitor your health. Even if you have no symptoms at present, receiving regular check-ups is the most effective way to catch problems before they become serious. You may even be able to find health-monitoring programs in Manhattan that have been set up specifically for WTC survivors and first responders.

If you've been diagnosed with a 9/11-related health concern, take time to speak to a mesothelioma attorney who specializes in asbestos exposure to determine whether you are eligible for compensation for pain and suffering or to cover medical expenses.

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