Everyone who is old enough remembers where they were when the news first broke about the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers and other targets. 2,996 people died on 9/11 itself, but the death toll from the attack is still rising.
In the 20 years since, at least 4,343 survivors have died from the after effects. A growing number of survivors have asbestos related diseases. The website Asbestos.com reports that the first mesothelioma case linked to 9/11 occurred in 2006.
Who is at risk?
Some members of the emergency services burrowed through the debris for many days, at first looking for survivors and then recovering bodies. Half-a-million New Yorkers were exposed to the cloud of toxic dust which was caused when the Towers collapsed.
Why are asbestos related diseases part of the 9/11 story?
The developers of the Twin Towers first broke ground in 1966. It took 14 years to complete them. This was the peak period for incorporating asbestos into new buildings.
The tragic story of the Twin Towers is a stark reminder that this dangerous substance lurks in countless buildings. Whenever something goes wrong, or the asbestos is disturbed, it becomes a dangerous hazard.
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Photo by Steve Harvey on Unsplash