9/11 toxins: asbestos

Disturbed, airborne asbestos is highly dangerous

If you were in or around 9/11’s Ground Zero, there’s a high chance that you inhaled asbestos. Breathing in its fibers can lead to a range of health issues, specifically lung-related conditions. Once these fibers enter the body, they may cause inflammation, scarring, cell damage, and cell mutation. Over time, the presence of asbestos fiber in the lungs can cause serious illnesses like cancers.

As stated by the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States, inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to the development of the following types of cancer:

• mesothelioma
• lung cancer
• ovarian cancer

On the other hand, exposure to asbestos has also been associated with elevated chances of developing the following kinds of cancers:

• bronchial cancer
• colorectal cancer
• gastric cancer
• esophageal cancer

Given that asbestos fibers greatly affect the lungs, people who inhaled it during or after the 9/11 attacks can also develop the following respiratory disorders:

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• interstitial lung disease

Asbestos fibers are nearly indestructible. These microfibers remain in the body and continuously cause damage long after inhaled. Moreover, the development of various types of health conditions can take decades. This means that many individuals exposed during 9/11 are only now beginning to experience symptoms.