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Sunday, December 13, 2009

World Trade Center - Health risks from air pollution after 9-11

Between the 11th September and Christmas 2001, the EPA conducted more than 7,500 air quality tests, where the Twin Towers stood, looking for a variety of carcinogens and other compounds such as dioxin, lead and asbestos. Authorities tried to determine whether particulate matter and gaseous phase compounds produced by the decomposition and combustion proceed from 220 floors worth of construction materials, office furniture, machinery and aviation fuel, no significant long-term health risks toMan, was in the area since the time of the attacks were.

The tests show that a unique microclimate of environmental pollutants has been established on the site, unlike all previously known. Tests showed that the air was, has been found, cement dust, fiberglass, asbestos, a variety of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins, lead, mercury and volatile organic compounds such as benzene, toluene and formaldehyde.

In most cases, concentrations were reached in the airLegislation, although tests are not generated until the day after the towers collapsed begin, and it is certainly fair to assume that the first 24 hours of the highest concentrations of many toxic compounds now known to have been responsible. Examination after the attack, only 29 Tests from 3500 showed for asbestos had exceeded federal government. The criteria for the EPA dioxin have been exceeded briefly in the first few weeks. In mid-December, however, were civil servantsallowed to do so by measuring the concentrations of benzene 400 times the amount for a year of continuous exposure.

The majority of health authorities officially declared at the time that no significant risk existed for the workers and residents at Ground Zero. These declarations are now considered from a historical perspective, described as misleading or false. Even at the time, reports of sore throat, cough, asthma-like symptoms, respiratory problems, bronchitis, sinusitis, and reduced lung capacitycontinue to be reported, which established the idea of many that may have a unique mixture of contaminants in unknown ways in the unpredictable health concerns, implemented. In addition, there was the possibility that short exposure have threatened to chemical substances and heavy metals in the pregnancy, the development of their unborn children. As a result, those who were women who were pregnant at the time of the attack for the tests, which it set for several years. We now know from numerousStudies, the work absorbed by the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health, or CCCEH that the effects include shortened gestation, low birth weight, genetic damage and increased cancer risks.

Although most organic compounds dissipate more quickly due to their high vapor pressures that could faulty cleaning methods have problems that fuel contamination by toxic particles had tightened loaded that from the air settled. The main weaponrecirculated contaminants from water - Do you experience everything was so wet as possible during cleanup activities. In addition, the use of particle-arresting filter is should be mandatory on all vacuum operations. Heating and air conditioning systems that were previously infiltrated with dust generated from the site had been cleaned, fresh installed filters before being restarted. Ordinary glass fiber filters were first with the more expensive versionHigh-efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA could bear) filters on all heating and air conditioning systems, the reduced flow of air so long that cleaning inside and outside of buildings were completed. Once the pollutants were gone, it was assumed that it sure would be to return to normal filters.

Mount Sinai Medical Center 's ongoing medical monitoring program that has treated more than 26,000 people exposed to fallout from the WTC, hasthat exposure to toxic dust caused by the collapse of the twin towers cocktails persistent diseases such as asthma, reactive airway disease and shortness of breath. The monitoring program reviewed more than 3160 responders from 2004 to 2007 and found more than 24% had abnormal lung function.

The persistent health problems in the WTC attacks in the center of the editors of the Daily News editorial board series, "9 / 11: The forgotten victims" won a PulitzerPrize in 2007. As a direct consequence of this series, the Department of Health and Human Services gave 75 million dollars on the monitoring and medical care to be used until 9 / 11 volunteers, making it the first federal funds dedicated to 9 / 11 health problems.

The medical legacy of the collapse of the Twin Towers is far outlast any economic damage done to the country than people who do not die during the attack or shortly thereafter, the biological damage for the rest of the implementationshorten their life. It is important for those who have the likes of themselves as committed during the crisis.

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