NYC-WTC_000199536

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Frequently Asked Questions Related to Air Quality Following the World Trade Center Disaster

/ live and/or work downtown. Bo I need to be concerned about the air I’m breathing? Numerous federal, state and local agencies (including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation and Health and the New York City Departments of Environmental Protection and Health) have been working together to monitor air quality within NYC and around the disaster area since 9/11/01 and will continue throughout the period that the work area is being cleaned. Additional monitors are being set up to obtain further information.

Following the collapse of the World Trade Center towers, significant quantities of smoke and dust were released into the air. The plume of smoke contained dust, ash, soot and other burning materials present at the site. Other hazardous materials released into the air include materials such as concrete, gypsum, plastics and fiberglass dusts as well as soot that were released during the explosion and collapse of the towers. From a health perspective, the substances of concern include asbestos and fine airborne particles. Therefore, air tests, to date, have focused on assessing levels of these substances.

Testing since 9/11/01 has revealed that, in general, levels of asbestos and fine airborne particles have been low. Until the WTC area has been cleaned up, air quality will need to be monitored.

What are the most immediate health concerns? Irritating dusts and gases can worsen medical conditions such as asthma, clironic bronchitis, emphysema, other chronic lung conditions and heart disease. Airborne irritants might also trigger an asthma attack in people who may be susceptible, but who have not had an asthma attack before. The most important concern is however, exposure to asbestos.

H'hat is asbestos and what are its potential health effects? Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral fiber that is resistant to heat. Asbestos has been used in a wide range of manufactured products including building materials such as fireproofing. Asbestos was used in the

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NYC-WTC_000199536