Consequences Of World Trade Center Collapse
Linger With WTC Cough Syndrome
...respirators must be custom-fit to each rescue worker to be effective,
making it difficult to administer to emergency response teams in times of crisis.
Mesothelioma Web 1/29/09
Seven
years after the tragic collapse
of the New York City World Trade
Center, the health of those
involved continues to be
negatively affected. A prevalent
health concern that few could
have predicted is a long-term
respiratory syndrome that
resulted from the inhalation of
pulverized building materials
such as glass, asbestos, heavy
metals, silica and volatile
organic materials.
The ailment, dubbed WTC Cough Syndrome, was first reported by FDNY fire fighters who responded to the site for rescue services. Other World Trade Center rescue workers have also reported high numbers of respiratory abnormalities. Common symptoms related to the syndrome include chronic asthmatic bronchitis, sinus inflammation and gastroesophageal reflux.
The sad fact is that the majority of the heroes that sifted through the wreckage created by 9/11 are now suffering from this new cough syndrome. Individuals who lived near or worked close to the World Trade Center have also reported respiratory complications.
It is believed that the prevalence of the syndrome could have been greatly reduced had respirators been made available earlier and more consistently following the collapse of the twin towers. However, respirators must be custom-fit to each rescue worker to be effective, making it difficult to administer to emergency response teams in times of crisis.
In an effort to avoid mass inhalation of hazardous particles in the future, experts are currently investigating the possibility of redesigning respirators to be more conducive to emergency response scenarios. Until that time, fire fighters, police officers and good Samaritans will be left holding their breath.
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