WTC security and emergency response newspaper article

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N.Y. can breathe free oo a. 03

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By BAhBARA HOFFMAN of the big health con- ■ fl cents in the aftennath of Health experts say air quality’s OK _ I I i_ I i !■ I hmding on the nose, will induce

after Wor d Trade Center disaster “.!S«?ss5^ Z I fl last Tuesday’s destruc- ■ fl tion of the World Trade I Ifl Center was the damage Wifl all that dust and smoke could do to people’s lungs. cials worried that residents immature lungs] were more sus- would inhale large quantity of ceptible on Tuesday to whatever Rogers said people who are more susceptible to pollution in sensitive respiratory sys- I As the Twin Towers collapsed and sent a wave of soot cascad­ ing through downtown, victims airborne particles of asbestos, particulates were in the air. But which can cause cancer and the danger now has passed.” other maladies. StHl, many people were left general — those who have em- physema or asthma — may want to see their doctors if they’re P r fieldine caniSed "calls asthma ^dallerev natipnts fo??he £wS I were left covered in deUse, pow­ dery ash Many needed to be But the city’s Board of Health choking and gasping for air. The said its readtags showed there best remedy, said the experts, is feeling ill or are coughing more than usual. “Though we don’t have in formatioT about every detail I treated for smoke inhalation. was very little asbestos in the to drink lots of water. In some cases, he said, people about the composition of the Experts feared, serious air- (/) air. “Eight glasses a day,” recom- may be suffering psychosomatic smoke and dust cloud [that en- m quality problems, but they now Besides, said Dr. Murray Rog- mended Rogers. "Lungs are sup- symptoms triggered by Tues- veloped lower Manhattan], say die general public can ers, chief of pulmonology at posed to be soft, supple and day’s trauma. But he added, every indication we’ve had so’ breathe easy — there is little Lenox Hill Hospital, “with ashes- moist; and hydrating yourself “Don’t readily discount any far fi-om city officials have been threat of any Imgering health tos, you need a lot of exposure will keep them from getting coughing or anything else as very rpassnring " hazards. ... . over a long periud of time Wore dry.” psychosomatic. If you’re feeling The U.S. Department of Health "We anticipated a big prob- you suffer any adverse effect. Of course, fllose aiding in the ill, see a doctor, if only to set and Human Services confirmed M lem,” said Dr.‘ Gillian Shepherd, This didn The area rescue _ • ’t 'happen. “ effort need. to take . every your . mind. at ease._” that the health risk from the s an allergy-immunology special­ was evacuated and those large precaution to protect them- If people seem to be sneezing smoking remains of the towers ist at Weill Cornell Medical parti■Icles fell to the ground, selves, Rogers said. and coughing more this week, it poses Httle risk to the general Ceiiter-New York Presbyterian Then the rata washed the air.” That includes wearing masks has less to do with the World public; nor is there a risk, the Hospital. “But thank heavens, it Rogers said a bigger threat was at all times and changing them Trade Towers disaster and more agency added, from the decom- didn’t happen.” posed by hot fumes that may when necessary, since filters are to do with the time of the year, posing remains imder the rub- , Of top concern was asbestos, a .have harmed victims’ lungs and effective only so long. said Shepherd. ble. synthetic insulation that is now tracheae. ' Rescuers working at the site “I was just looking at today’s For more information about banned but may have been used “Certainly, older people, peo- should launder their, clothing inthe.eoustructionofthe World pie witii chroribo.feng fflSe^v Well to keep from spreadlng thf; Trade Center in the, l?7Ps.^Qffi- anda^ngl’iiiftltBn^jwhb have fest. i ; y Vi