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What Carcinogens Were Inhaled During 9/11?

September 11th was one of the darkest days in American history.

The deadly attack was particularly concerning for two reasons. First, the direct impact of the planes hitting the towers, which caused an abundance of falling debris and ultimately, the collapse of both towers. 

As devastating as that was, what had a far more sinister effect was the deadly concoction of harmful substances released into the air. This plume persisted for nearly nine months, meaning that millions of citizens, first responders, and clean-up workers were affected.

Unfortunately, the dangers of breathing deadly toxins are severe. Many 9/11 victims have died from their exposure while others currently face cancer or debilitating breathing conditions.

It’s important to know exactly what substances were released in the air during 9/11. This can help you understand why the attack affects victims to this day and also to appreciate avoiding these compounds in the future. We’ll take a look at the most notable carcinogens of 9/11 below.  

Asbestos

Arguably the greatest concern is asbestos fibers

Asbestos is a classification of six natural mineral fibers; actinolite, anthophyllite, amosite, chrysotile, crocidolite, and tremolite. Chrysotile is curly, white asbestos while the others are all straight and jagged. All forms of asbestos are toxic.

Asbestos is extremely flexible and durable, which makes it effective as an insulator and strengthener. Because of this, it is often used in construction materials. 

Unfortunately, the World Trade Center was constructed with materials that contained asbestos. When it collapsed, those building materials were pulverized into dust. This asbestos was then released into the air and eventually inhaled by anyone in the surrounding area.

While asbestos was not apparent in particularly high concentrations, any amount is harmful to inhale. As a result, many 9/11 victims developed health conditions related to asbestos exposure.   

Silica

Similar to asbestos is crystalline silica

Silica is an extremely popular mineral found in many common building materials like concrete, drywall, tile, and sand. In finished form, silica is relatively harmless, but silica dust is harmful. 

Silica dust is typically created when working with construction materials, putting construction workers at the greatest risk. However, it is also created during demolition.

The 9/11 attack was similar to demolition because it had the same result. Building materials were disintegrated and turned into dust.

When inhaled, silica enters the lungs and scars tissue. This greatly impairs breathing and increases the chances of developing a respiratory condition. 

Considering how common silica is in building materials, there’s no surprise that many 9/11 victims inhaled silica dust. That said, their exposure greatly endangered them. 

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is another harmful substance that was in the plume of 9/11. 

Fiberglass is also similar to asbestos in that it is used as a strengthener or insulator. The main difference is that fiberglass is typically man-made.

Fiberglass is created by heating glass and forcing it through a screen to produce filament threads. These are then combined with other materials for strength or expanded on to produce fluffy insulation.

Almost any building material can benefit from the use of fiberglass and many do contain it. Fiberglass can be hazardous to the touch, but it’s much more dangerous if inhaled.

9/11 destroyed a lot of materials containing fiberglass. This caused two distinct issues.

First, it released glass fibers into the air. When they are inhaled, they get lodged in the lungs. Smaller fibers can travel down further into the lungs and these are more likely to cause serious health complications.

The other problem with fiberglass is that it is often treated with formaldehyde. This is another toxic substance that releases hazardous fumes when combusted. 

Fiberglass is a popular building material, but it’s also dangerous if inhaled. Many 9/11 victims experienced this and wound up with fiberglass in their lungs.  

Heavy Metals

The final notable carcinogens inhaled during 9/11 include various heavy metals

Just about any heavy material can be classified as carcinogenic. The issue with heavy metals is how they are processed by the body.

When humans ingest heavy metals, they destroy cells, tissue-binding proteins, and nucleic acid. As a result, heavy metals have an intensely negative effect on all aspects of functioning that increases with further exposure.

Because heavy metals are so strong and durable, they are popular for use in construction. Many heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury were used to build the World Trade Center. When it collapsed, these metals were also crushed and released into the air.

Heavy materials are inherently toxic and this makes any amount of exposure dangerous. The 9/11 attack directly exposed thousands of citizens to heavy metals and eventual health problems. 

Closing Thoughts

The toxic plume of 9/11 was the real danger. Many victims survived the attack only to succumb later to serious health conditions like cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and other respiratory disorders. 

This comes back to the substances released during the destruction of the World Trade Center. In particular, asbestos, silica, fiberglass, and various heavy metals were inhaled near Ground Zero. All of these are carcinogenic and likely to cause health problems with any exposure. 

If you were exposed to any harmful chemicals during 9/11, then you deserve compensation for your suffering! Seek the resources of the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) and the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (9/11 VCF) to find relief! 

Published by

HoylesFitness

Owner of www.hoylesfitness.com. Personal Trainer, Father and fitness copy writer. Working hard making the world fitter and healthier!

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