Journal Article: WTC Collapse Could Have Long-term Health Effects

Date: November 29, 2001

Source: News Room

An article released this week in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives suggests that the collapse of the World Trade Centers may have serious long term environmental health effects on those in harms way, including children, office workers, rescuers and residents. The article, "Environmental Aftermath," reviews the potential environmental health impact of over a million tons of steel, dust and debris collapsing in Manhattan. The analysis cites asbestos, lead and PCBs present in the dust created by the Twin Towers collapse as among the most potentially serious lingering exposures to the community, including rescue workers, office workers and the more than 20,000 residents, including 3,000 children, who live within half a mile of Ground Zero. Over 5,000 tons of asbestos had been sprayed onto the first forty floors of one of the towers before it was banned in new construction in New York in 1970. Asbestos fibers have been found in air readings taken since the tragedy, although exact levels are in dispute. It was also common practice in building construction at the time to use lead-containing paint to rust-proof steel beams. Moderately high levels of lead have been found in air readings following the disaster. More information: www.ehpjournal.com.

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