Health Issues Around the World Trade Center Disaster
Health Concerns of People Who Live and
Work
Near the World Trade Center Disaster Site
People who live and work in the vicinity of the World Trade Center Disaster Site have questions about the health impacts
of the dust and soot released from the fire and collapse of the towers. This resource sheet provides information on
exposures, health concerns, and recommendations to limit community exposures.
What was in the dust and smoke released in the explosion and fire at the WTC?
Will these materials cause harm to my family or me?
What are the possible immediate heath effects of environmental exposures from the WTC?
What should I do if I feel sick?
If I experience any eye irritation what should I do?
Are the elderly or children at increased risk?
Are pregnant women at increased risk for adverse outcome of pregnancy?
Should people with lung or heart disease be concerned?
Are there any possible long-term health-effects resulting from these exposures?
Do I need to be worried about asbestos?
How do I clean my home?
Are there other protective measures to limit my exposure?
If you have more questions, please call our hotline at (212) 241-4747.
Other New York City Occupational Safety & Health Resource Centers
Continue to follow updates from the city health department and this site, as recommendations may change with new information.
What was in the dust and smoke released in the explosion and fire at the WTC?
Concrete, silica, plastics, and fiberglass dusts, as well as the soot and by-products from the burning of metal, plastics, glass,
wood, and other construction materials, were released. Asbestos, used in the WTC buildings in insulation and fireproofing
materials, has also been found in the dust and debris.
In addition, irritating gases and mists were released when plastics and other building and materials burned.
Will these materials cause harm to my family or me?
In a healthy individual, it is not expected that the dusts and gases from the WTC will cause permanent or serious harm to one's
health other than irritation to the eyes, nose, throat or lungs. People who have asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or other
lung and heart conditions may have worsening of their conditions.
In general, the higher the amount of the dusts and gases that a person breathes in, the more likely that a person's health could
be affected. The further away a person is, the less likely he or she is to be exposed to the dusts and gases from the WTC. Persons
further away from the immediate disaster site area will be less likely to come into contact with higher amounts of dusts and gases.
While all the dusts and gases in the vicinity of the WTC are not yet identified with certainty, it is not expected that materials
other than those mentioned above would be in the WTC in significant quantities because it was a commercial building and not an
industrial site or storage facility.
What are the possible immediate heath effects of environmental exposures from the WTC?
For most people in the vicinity, health effects are limited to eye, nose and throat irritation. Symptoms include either one or
more of the following: tearing and redness in the eyes, runny nose, the need to frequently clear the throat, cough with or without
phlegm, chest tightness, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. In some cases, people may experience asthma attacks, palpitations,
and, in more severe cases, extreme difficulty breathing or chest pain.
What should I do if I feel sick?
In people who are usually healthy, it is not necessary to see a doctor if you are suffering from minor conditions such as eye
irritation, coughing or sneezing unless these symptoms continue for over a week. If you are having more serious symptoms such as
shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort, dizziness or if you have a serious medical condition you feel is worsening, you
should seek medical attention immediately.
Other symptoms such as fever, rash, headaches, bleeding or diarrhea are not associated with exposure to the type of dusts resulting
from the disaster. If you do develop these symptoms, you should contact your physician.
If I experience any eye irritation what should I do?
Saline eye drops or tap water may be used to rinse eyes irritated by dust.
Are the elderly or children at increased risk?
Very young children and the elderly are generally more vulnerable to most health hazards and should consider temporarily avoiding
the areas where there is still a lot of dust and smoke
Children inhale more air as compared to their body size than adults do. In addition, they are closer to the ground, which brings
them in closer contact with higher concentrations of dust. Therefore, the time children spend outdoors in the vicinity of the
disaster site should be limited. Because exercise increases the amount of air breathed in, outdoor exercise near the dusty or
smokey areas should be avoided. Precautions are similar as when ozone or air pollution levels are increased.
Are pregnant women at increased risk for adverse outcome of pregnancy?
According to what we know medically right now, none of the dusts from the WTC site, including asbestos, have been related to any
complications to pregnancy. In addition, short-term exposure for those in or near vicinity of the disaster has not been linked to
any pregnancy complications. If you have specific questions about your pregnancy, see you doctor.
Should people with lung or heart disease be concerned?
Individuals with asthma, severe chronic bronchitis or emphysema, and other chronic lung conditions, and those with heart disease
such as severe coronary artery disease or chronic heart failure, are more susceptible to the dust present in the air at and near
the site. Irritating dusts and gases can markedly worsen these medical conditions. For especially susceptible individuals, a first
asthma attack can be caused by an intense exposure of this kind, with symptoms persisting for long periods. Protection against
exposure is particularly important.
Persons who experience difficulty breathing or chest pain are advised to seek medical attention immediately.
Are there any possible long-term health-effects resulting from these exposures?
Some people may develop asthma for the first time or those who already have lung or heart conditions may have worsening of their
symptoms. These people should contact their doctors. Symptoms are expected to improve as the air begins to have less dust in it.
Based on the available air sampling information, the risk for disease from asbestos exposure in the community near the WTC site is
very low. Asbestos does not cause immediate symptoms. It takes at least 15-20 years to see any symptoms or disease related to
asbestos but again, the likelihood of disease from the short-term exposure resulting from this incident is low.
Do I need to be worried about asbestos?
Environmental sampling results have found low levels of asbestos in the debris and dust generated from the fire and collapse of the
Towers. While the risk of developing asbestos related disease is low, it is important to take steps to minimize unnecessary
exposures and use environmental cleaning methods such as wet mopping and HEPA vacuuming before reoccupying an evacuated space.
"HEPA" stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter. These filters collect very small microscopic particles.
How do I clean my home?
Dust and soot particles from the fire and collapse of the WTC may have been deposited on surfaces within your home or office.
The best way to remove these particles from hard surfaces is by wet wiping and mopping. Do not dry sweep or dust - this will just
spread the dust around and into the air. A regular vacuum cleaner, without HEPA filters, is not recommended because it may disturb
and spread small dust particles. For fabrics, upholstery, and carpets, use a HEPA vacuum.
If your house has a lot of dust resulting from the WTC disaster, beyond what you are able to handle, you should consult your
building management and/or contact the New York City Department of Health for guidelines and additional information on clean-up.
Using a cleaning service with experience in environmental clean up is recommended. You can also visit the NYC Department of Health
Website at www.nyc.gov/health
During cleaning activities, settled dust may become airborne. Because this dust may contain low levels of asbestos, a respirator
with "P-100" filters (pink or purple) should be used. This respirator will also protect you airborne irritants. Dusty clothes
should be laundered by washing machine, separately from non-dusty clothes.
Are there other protective measures to limit my exposure?
In the areas closest to the WTC site, you can reduce your exposure to the dust in the air by staying indoors as much as possible
with the windows closed. If you have an air-conditioner, the filter should be cleaned or changed more frequently. Air conditioners
should be used in the re-circulating mode so that outside air is not pumped inside, or if this is not possible, they should be
turned off.
Portable HEPA air cleaners, which are available in department and hardware stores, can be used to remove airborne particles in
small areas. It is important to select an air cleaner to match the size of the room where the unit will be used. Ionizing air
cleaners are not recommended.
Optional outdoor activities which cause increased breathing such as jogging and other exercise, may be performed in less affected
areas in the city or surrounding area where the dust or smoke is not visible.
Avoid sweeping or other outdoor maintenance. Keep dust from entering the home (e.g., remove shoes before entering the home and use
door mats).
Beyond the immediate vicinity of the disaster zone, the use of N-95 disposable paper masks, which are available in local hardware,
variety or drug stores, may offer some relief when walking outdoors from nuisance dust and smoke.
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