9-11 Workers: Asbestos and Mesothelioma Considerations

When rescue workers rushed to the scene of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, they weren’t thinking about anything except adding the victims of these terrorist attacks. As these first responders struggled to put out fires (see: firefighters and mesothelioma), rescue survivors and uncover victims, they were focused on the immediate threat in front of them. Now, more than 8 years later, many of them are learning that the dangers involved in the attack went beyond the damage that took place that day.

In the years following the attack on the World Trade Center, experts have been monitoring rescue, recovery and clean-up workers for long-term health issues. Concern for these workers’ health arose almost immediately after the attack when the air quality in the Manhattan area was measurably harmful. Now medical researchers are seeing unusually high incidences of respiratory issues and lung scarring in Ground Zero workers, especially those who were first on the scene. Many experts worry that their reduced lung health and capacity will increase their potential for developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases in the coming years. (see: NY At-Risk Jobsites)

Asbestos Exposure from WTC Attack
Because construction of the World Trade Center was begun before the legal restrictions on the asbestos use were enacted, about 400 tons of asbestos were used in the buildings. When the buildings collapsed, asbestos and other toxic substances such as mercury and lead were released into the air. While the Environmental Protection Agency and other Federal agencies claimed initially that the level of asbestos found in the World Trade Center dust was low, there have already been first responders diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases. In fact, there has already been one mesothelioma death linked to 9/11. Deborah Reeve, an Emergency Medical Technician who was one of the first responders at Ground Zero died of mesothelioma in March 2006. Her case is unusual in that she developed the disease very rapidly -- less than three years after her exposure to asbestos. In most cases, mesothelioma can take 10 years or more to develop.

Some experts estimate as many 4,000 first responders suffered serious exposure to toxic levels of asbestos dust. First responders, including firefighters and police officers, were exposed to the toxic cloud because they were generally not wearing protective gear such as respirators when they arrived on the scene. Respirators were later recommended for rescue and recovery workers, but even then their use was not always practicable or comfortable. Paper filter masks were distributed to some firefighters, but they effectiveness is questionable at best. Many of the first responders continued to work at the disaster site in the ensuing weeks and months, further increasing their exposure to asbestos and other toxic pollutants.

Research has shown that up to 70 percent of those exposed to the initial dust cloud, including early emergency responders, are now coping with respiratory problems. Many rescue workers were almost immediately diagnosed with what is now known as “The World Trade Center Cough.” Often these respiratory symptoms are the only early warning signs of mesothelioma, so it is important that these first responders continue to be monitored and tested. Because of the long latency period of asbestos-related illnesses, it may take up to 70 years for the full impact of the asbestos contamination from Ground Zero to be realized.

Recommendations For the rescue, recovery and clean up workers involved in the response to the attack on the World Trade Center, doctors recommend periodic chest x-rays and lung capacity tests, especially if any respiratory difficulties develop.

Several resources have been established for 9/11 responders to assist in the administration and monitoring of medical difficulties associated with working at Ground Zero.

For Volunteers or Paid Responders The World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program offers free health exams for volunteers or paid responders to the World Trade Center attack. To find out if you qualify, visit www.wtcexams.org.

For FDNY Employees If you were or are working for the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), you should call the FDNY Bureau of Health Services (718-999-1858) or visit the following website for information about the program: http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/insider/bhs/wtcmm/index.shtml

For Firefighters No Longer in NYC If you were not or are not working for the FDNY and live outside the NYC vicinity, you should call Logistics Health Incorporated (LHI) at 877-498-2911.

For Manhattan Residents and Other Non-Responders For residents, students, workers, commuters or helpers in the clean-up of buildings in the affected area, there is a program through the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation. For more information or to find out if you qualify, visit: http://www.nyc.gov/html/hhc/html/services/wtc-health-center.shtml