Firefighters Were Exposed to Asbestos During and After 9/11
Posted on: September 30, 2024On September 11, 2001, in the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks, firefighters and other first responders urgently rushed to the scene, often without adequate protective gear, including respirators. This lack of protection left thousands of firefighters and first responders in New York City exposed to airborne dust laden with hazardous materials, including concrete, glass, and asbestos fibers.
The air quality remained dangerously contaminated for an extended period after the attacks, posing a significant health risk. Despite this, both first responders and the general public were given misleading or inaccurate information about the true extent of the danger. For example, a statement from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) downplayed the risk, claiming asbestos levels were only slightly above normal. However, official tests revealed that asbestos levels were actually three times higher than the safe limit.