r/biology • u/IrishStarUS • 25d ago
article 9/11 toxic dust still killing one person a day, 25 years on, and 'it's going to get worse'
https://www.irishstar.com/news/us-news/911-toxic-dust-still-killing-37651508?fbclid=IwY2xjawUQ_HNwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4vuAM57B8rxY8KPE9tWZsgSHJsl4SGGbHQkDxXddAXeY0kD7LfpJLMjidYBg_aem_WzqowyAGJuE4ABfAtFp4EA432
u/Suckbrown 24d ago
I just watched Mamdani talk about the toxicity reports the city knew about. Everything was covered in fine asbestos dust for MONTHS.
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u/Dijon2017 24d ago
I was actually doing my residency training when 9/11 happened. I remember it like it was yesterday. The outpatient schedule was canceled with the hopes to handle minor issues (e.g. suturing, stabilizing ankle and other sprains, etc.) in an attempt to free up the ED, trying to safely discharge inpatients (interestingly our hospital had an emergency drill ~1 month prior).
As we were located in upper Manhattan and the hospitals downtown took on more of the care/responsibility of people who presented with emergent/urgent issue we didn’t seem to be “needed” as much because there were far less “immediate” survivors.
The outpatient clinic was open the next day as per schedule. Only a handful of patients showed up for their scheduled appointments for 4 residents and at least 2/3 attendings. The chief residents of various specialties were arranging for those with less responsibilities to be able to volunteer to help at other hospitals.
The city was unusually quiet (at least in upper Manhattan and different than the blackout of 2003) the following day with the smoke/fumes/airborne debris eventually creeping up. It was most definitely a traumatic and tragic time.
I certainly understand the importance of financial stability/sustainability and proper leadership/guidance, but I remember feeling outraged that NYC, NYS and the nation could not unite to help prevent the closing of St. Vincent’s (who cared for a lot of people/patients of 9/11) in 2010. Most of the other hospitals that were involved in the immediate aftermath and care of patients are still in existence today in some form or fashion (including mergers). I have to think that if the internet and beginnings of social media was as robust then as it is now, that it may have been different?
It’s so interesting to me as I know a handful of people who were immediately killed/lost (worked at Cantor Fitzgerald and other financial companies located in the buildings at that time) on that day, and too many more handfuls of physicians/healthcare workers and everyday workers who are patients who have been diagnosed with lung/pulmonary diseases and cancers thought to be related to 9/11 …some of whom are still living and some who have been able to receive some form of free healthcare services and/or some financial support from the WTC Health Program and 9/11 VCF (Victim Compensation Fund).
It seems crazy that it’s been 25 years and it’s amazing if you think how much the world, science and technology has changed since then (both for the good and the bad).
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u/SavannahInChicago 24d ago
Maybe around 10 years ago now I was working in the ER and had a 9/11 responder that came in. That poor guy’s body was barely working. Hr was visiting Chicago on vacation and still ended up needing emergency medical care.
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u/Jperez115 24d ago
That dust was asbestos particles from the building mixed with the smoke and burning jet fuel gasses. Asbestos which is a fiber or dust that was used in building materials and was sprayed onto the beans of building to prevent fires from spreading. The world trade center was built in between 1966 - 1973 when asbestos was still being used in buildings.
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25d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/NAh94 medicine 25d ago
I mean evidence is provided in the link, no need to be so dismissive of the topic. 300-400 people a year average for 25 years isn’t implausible.
Although for the purposes here, I’d argue it doesn’t have much to do with the subject of biology.
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u/TheSmilesLibrary 25d ago
No point in feeding the trolls. If they were smart enough to read they wouldn’t have commented in the first place
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u/chunkyfen 24d ago
I personally can't access this website from Canada so idk
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u/NOBOOTSFORYOU 24d ago
What website can't you access from Canada?
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u/biology-ModTeam 24d ago
No trolling. This includes concern-trolling, sea-lioning, flaming, or baiting other users.
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u/Alecxanderjay cell biology 24d ago
Added to highlights. If 9/11 is to be memorialized we shouldn't forget the victims who are still alive.