01. Asbestos in the WTC
Was There Asbestos in the World Trade Center?
The World Trade Center included seven buildings in Lower Manhattan. The twin towers were considered the two main buildings of the World Trade Center complex. They were named the north tower and the south tower.
早期建造使用的双子塔asbtos。Contractors used asbestos materials in the lower floors of the north tower, before the dangers of石棉暴露在1970年代初被广泛认可。
In early April 1970, the New York City Department of Air Resources established asbestos spray insulation regulations. Contractors usingasbtos insulationin the twin towers failed to comply with these regulations.
结果，该部命令承包商停止在世界贸易中心使用石棉的使用。北塔的上层和整个南塔都有石棉替代品。
Why Was There Asbestos in the Twin Towers?
石棉主要用于双子塔用于绝缘。含石棉水泥,flooringand foam board were also used. The mineral added strength and fire resistance to the towers’ infrastructure.
Contractors sprayed insulation on steel beams in the lower levels of the north tower. The steel framework held up the towers, supporting elevator shafts and stairwells.
How Much Asbestos Was in the World Trade Center?
The north tower contained an estimated 300 – 400 tons of asbestos. The twin towers also contained many other contaminants. In total, the towers were constructed with 424,000 tons of concrete and 485,000 tons of other materials.
Was Asbestos Removed From the World Trade Center?
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey established regulations for asbestos use and abatement in 1971. Early asbestos abatement estimates from the World Trade Center totaled close to $1 billion.
In the mid-1980s, the Port Authority began an abatement program to remove asbestos from the World Trade Center. Removal was difficult and expensive because asbestos was in the buildings’ framework.
Limited information is available about asbestos abatement from the twin towers. Some reports state the program removed some of the asbestos. However, testing of 9/11 dust and rubble confirms the mineral was still present.Asbestos exposure in New Yorkmay have led workers and residents to develop an asbestos disease.
02.石棉暴露
The Twin Towers and Asbestos Exposure
On September 11, 2001, an attack on the World Trade Center caused the twin towers to collapse. Fires from the twin towers caused 7 World Trade Center (another building in the World Trade Center complex) to collapse. The area where the buildings collapsed is referred to as Ground Zero.
在攻击、混凝土和其他材料the twin towers were destroyed. This released a toxic dust cloud containing thousands of contaminants, including the carcinogen asbestos.
9/11石棉暴露
含石棉dust from the attack on the twin towers spread across Lower Manhattan. As a result, thousands of first responders, residents and workers experienced asbestos exposure. Individuals in the area were also exposed to several other carcinogens.
How Far Did the Dust Cloud Travel on 9/11?
Low levels of dust were found as far as the Empire State Building, almost three miles away. The exact distance remains unclear. Individuals have shared varied reports of small amounts of debris across the city.
The Victims Compensation Fund (VCF) maps out a smaller exposure zone when determining financial eligibility.
Those in close and distant proximity to the attacks faced potential asbestos exposure.
Who Was At Risk of 9/11 Asbestos Exposure?
- 通信恢复工作者
- 建筑工人
- Educators and students
- Employees in nearby buildings
- First responders
- 卫生专业人员
- Indoor cleanup crews
- 纽约市居民
- Outdoor cleanup crews
- Passersby in the area
- 志愿者
- World Trade Center employees
EPA对9/11和石棉的反应
Days after the attacks, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated the Manhattan air was “safe to breathe.” However, the EPA later concluded it did not have the data to back this claim. The agency tested the air and settled dust to determine if asbestos fibers and other particles were present.
In response to the 9/11 attacks and asbestos, the EPA referenced National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollution (NESHAP) regulations. NESHAP states material containing at least 1% asbestos (by volume) is asbestos-containing material.
一旦被认为是石棉的，该材料就会遵守EPA和NESHAP法规。从2001年9月11日至9月18日收集了散装灰尘和环境空气样品。超过25％的样品含有高于1％的石棉水平。
In addition to the immediate risks of 9/11, there were concerns about asbestos dust. Dust entered HVAC systems of nearbyschools, buildings and residences. Thick layers of dust coated indoor areas and filled ventilation systems.
The EPA and New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) issued warnings about indoor air quality. NYCDEP gave building owners a “Cleanup of Asbestos Containing Material” notice. The notice told owners to assume the dust contained asbestos. It also advised owners to follow NYCDEP Asbestos Abatement Program procedures for safe狗万10万提款 。
03.石棉健康风险
World Trade Center Asbestos Health Risks
Public health officials have stated that more than 90,000 individuals experienced harmful exposure from the attack. Every time a piece of rubble was disturbed, small clouds of dust and ash became airborne.
Many individuals in the area were not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Lack of protection caused many individuals to experience exposure.
As a result of time spent at Ground Zero, many victims have been diagnosed with 9/11-related illnesses and cancers.
Some conditions take years to develop, such as manyasbtos-related diseases。As a result, some victims are only just beginning to experience symptoms of asbestos exposure.
急救人员和9/11疾病
A growing number of 9/11 first responders face cancer and other illnesses. First responders include:
- Emergency medical technicians (EMTs)
- Firefighters
- Paramedics
- Police officers
- Rescue teams
- Servicemembers
The 9/11 rescue workers spent many hours at the heart of Ground Zero, breathing in carcinogens from the dust. The lack of PPE led to an increased risk of inhaling harmful materials.
A reported 23 members of the NYPD died in the World Trade Center terrorist attack in September 2001. By September 2019, a reported 241 members of the NYPD died from 9/11-related illnesses.
诊断的数量增加导致创建了世界贸易中心健康计划（WTC Health计划）。截至2020年12月，已参加该计划的80,146名第一响应者接受9/11相关疾病的治疗。参与者包括：
- 17,022 New York City Fire Department responders
- 62,167 general responders
该计划今天仍在接受患者。
9/11 and Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is a 9/11 cancer of particular concern due to the high levels of asbestos released during the attack. Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma.
The number of mesothelioma cases stemming from 9/11 is largely unknown. Mesothelioma has along latency period。结果，癌症可能需要10到50年才能发展。随着时间的流逝，医疗专业人员期望万博专业版间皮瘤诊断to grow.
The type of asbestos used in the World Trade Center is closely tied to mesothelioma. Short chrysotile fibers were the most common type of asbestos found in the 9/11 dust. This is the most common type of asbestos found in diseased mesothelioma tissue.
受到袭击影响的曼哈顿居民也有发展中皮瘤的风险。万博专业版较高量的石棉和长期暴露可能会增加间皮瘤的风险。万博专业版
如果您接触到9/11灰尘，该怎么办？
暴露于石棉的个人无法消除他们的risk of developing mesothelioma。However, they may take safety measures to improve early detection.
Victims of exposure should:
- Notify their physician of their potential asbestos exposure
- Document the time and suspected type of exposure
- Understand asbestos symptoms and potential asbestos-related conditions
- Notify their doctor immediately should any symptoms present
- Maintain frequent checkups to improve the chances of early detection
04. Treatment Resources
9/11受害者的治疗资源
Individuals affected by the World Trade Center attack may be eligible for benefits. SomeNew York Citycancer centers have programs for victims and first responders. For example,Mount Sinai Medical Centeroffers a World Trade Center Health Program (WTC).
世界贸易中心健康计划
The WTC Health Program was set up to help those suffering from 9/11-related conditions. The World Trade Center Health Program offers specialized services to 9/11 victims. Support services include:
- Benefits counseling
- Health monitoring
- Mental health services
- Treatment
There are four member types eligible to enroll in the program:
- FDNY响应者
- General responders
- NYC survivors
- 五角大楼/宾夕法尼亚州的香克斯维尔响应者
WTC卫生计划由美国国家职业健康与安全研究所（NIOSH）管理。NIOSH是疾病控制与预防中心（CDC）的一部分。WTC健康计划在纽约市拥有许多卓越临床中心。一些中心是针对响应者和幸存者的。
受害者可以通过世界贸易中心健康计划网站申请。该计划涵盖了各种疾病和与石棉有关的疾病。覆盖范围包括所有类型的间皮瘤。万博专业版
The WTC Health Program and World Trade Center Health Registry gather statistics around enrollees. Findings are shared with the public, health researchers and medical professionals.
This research provides an understanding of 9/11 impacts and the need for support services.
05. Compensation for Victims
Compensation for 9/11 Asbestos Victims
Treatment for conditions such as malignant mesothelioma can be costly. Victims may be able to receive compensation to cover medical bills and other fees associated with their diagnoses.
9/11 Victims Compensation Fund
Congress established the9/11受害者补偿基金（VCF）for two main purposes:
- Protect airlines from litigation related to the 9/11 attacks
- Compensate victims who suffer a 9/11-related injury or loved ones who lost a family member to a 9/11-related injury
Victims filing a claim could not sue airlines or other parties related to the 9/11 attacks. The fund ran from 2001 to 2004. Around $7 billion was paid out to more than 5,000 families. Families who suffered a loss of a loved one and individuals injured during the attack received compensation.
2019年，VCF授予受害者$ 1,218,499,150。自从其创建以来，VCF授予了总计5,964,774,722美元。
Victims and family members may have the right to file a claim. Claims require certain documentation and deadlines. Individuals should seek help as soon as possible.
Individuals may seek help from experienced attorneys.Asbestos attorneyshelp clients understand their compensation options and the claim filing process.
