Whether in New York City on 9/11 or elsewhere in the United States, the physical and emotional impacts of the day were felt. Even over 20 years later, the health effects from that day continue to emerge.
You’re not alone if you feel like you deserve compensation for 9/11 asbestos exposure. Due to the deadly health risks associated with asbestos, you might be entitled to compensation if exposed to the toxin.
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a combination of several natural factors that can make something fireproof. These micromaterials can release into the atmosphere in various ways, impacting the health of those nearby.
When the United States built the World Trade Center in the late 1960s and 1970s, construction companies used asbestos to help fireproof buildings. Since the Twin Towers were some of the tallest buildings at the time, the idea was this would help keep everyone inside as safe as possible in the event of a fire.
Using asbestos in buildings was a common practice, but no one knew how dangerous it was until further research was conducted and the government banned the toxin in 1989. Even though asbestos was banned, there’s no way to remove the toxin from a building. The ban only prevents it from being used on future projects.
Health Effects of Asbestos Exposure Post 9/11
Knowing that the United States government banned asbestos in 1989 should indicate that the material is highly toxic to humans and animals. But what health effects have it caused those who have been exposed?
The main thing to remember about asbestos exposure from 9/11 is that many of the health effects don’t show for many years. Since 9/11 was over 20 years ago, many people involved are now experiencing health issues that could be directly related to asbestos exposure from the site. Here are some of the potential health effects of asbestos exposure:
- Pleural Disease: This is a non-cancerous disease that thickens the membranes throughout the chest cavity. Breathing becomes more challenging over time.
- Asbestosis: Lungs have scarring from inhaling asbestos over a long time. This makes breathing harder, and symptoms might not show for years.
In addition to the above two non-cancerous diseases, asbestos exposure is known to increase the risk of someone developing specific types of cancer. The types of cancer that asbestos exposure can cause or increase your risk of are:
- Mesothelioma
- Lung cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Larynx cancer
- Pharynx cancer
Once someone is exposed to asbestos, they can do nothing to remove the toxin from the lungs. The best thing someone can do if they know they were exposed is to continue to see their doctor regularly, quit smoking if that’s something they do, and avoid more asbestos exposure in the future.
Who’s At Risk of Asbestos Exposure from 9/11?
The search and rescue efforts, as well as clean-up efforts from 9/11, were intense. Thousands of people were on the scene helping their fellow Americans. If you were one of those people, you might be entitled to compensation due to the adverse health effects of asbestos exposure.
Those who might be able to file a compensation claim are:
- Police officers
- Firefighters
- Paramedics
- Construction workers
- Volunteers who helped clear rubble and searched for people
Those living in residences and working in areas surrounding the site where the World Trade Center once stood could also be affected by asbestos exposure. Still, they would need to file a different claim, not worker’s compensation, since they weren’t directly working at the site of the attack.
Final Thoughts
9/11 was a traumatic day in the United States for so many people. Even after that day, people feel the side effects thanks to asbestos exposure. If you or someone you know was a first responder, construction worker, or volunteer, you might be entitled to compensation due to asbestos exposure.
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