Fresh Concerns Over 9/11 Asbestos Repercussions -- MesoLink.org -- 09-23-04

Following the terrorist disaster in New York on September 11 th 2001, where the twin towers of the World Trade Center collapsed and thousands were killed in an act of terrorism, fresh concerns have been sparked about the danger to New York residents from resulting asbestos exposure.

The Belfast Telegraph claims that the Bush Administration duped the residents and visitors of New York by stating the air was safe to breathe following the disaster, when in fact abnormally high asbestos levels were detected in the air for at least several days following the tragedy.

Although asbestos levels quickly dropped to within federal standards within a matter of days, research has shown that there was in increase in what appeared to be exposure-related conditions even several years after the collapse of the World Trade center. The University of North Carolina and the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey reported that the symptoms included coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and bronchial problems.

The main concern of medics is that the results from the asbestos exposure could eventually end up taking more lives than the original disaster. It is thought that thousands could eventually die from diseases caused by the asbestos exposure, but due to the long latency period of mesothelioma, this may not be for another three or four decades.