Dust : The Inside Story of Its Role in the September 11th Aftermath

Despite exhaustive reports about the September 11th attacks at the World Trade Center, no one report examines the dust that poured from the skies as the buildings collapses in as much personal and technical detail as Lioy offers here. From his own experiences examining and analyzing the dust, to his work with the various agencies involved in the aftermath of the disaster, the author puts together a compelling examination of the dust itself and the agencies, mechanisms, and people in place to deal with it. This completely fresh perspective sheds new light on one of our nation's darkest moments. Publishers Weekly A celebrated specialist in environmental medicine, Keane (the deputy director of Rutgers Occupational Health Science Institute) had a leading role in analyzing the public health issues in lower Manhattan following 9/11. In the chaotic aftermath of the World Trade Center (WTC) terrorist attack, he reports, "the rush to rescue without adequate personal protection... or knowledge of the potential effects of WTC dust" actually tripled the number of victims; some 6,000 first responders and rescue workers (especially those working in the first 72 hours) inhaled a blizzard of white dust released by the explosion and ongoing fires, leading to serious injury and illness (though it could easily have been worse, had winds not moved the smoke plume over Brooklyn and out to sea). In this comprehensive report, Lio chronicles the government's environmental and health assessment efforts, including many setbacks and pitfalls, and lessons that need learning; the most important lesson he derives is the need for greater preparedness in order to "minimize the acute exposure... among workers and the community" in the vicinity of a disaster without diminishing the immediate effort to rescue those in harm's way. Four appendices include an extensive bibliography, 10 tables on dust composition, and the peer review of the EPA's final report. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Despite exhaustive reports about the September 11th attacks at the World Trade Center, no one report examines the dust that poured from the skies as the buildings collapses in as much personal and technical detail as the author offers here. From his own experiences examining and analyzing the dust, to his work with the various agencies involved in the aftermath of the disaster, the author puts together a compelling examination of the dust itself and the agencies, mechanisms, and people in place to deal with it. One of the first scientists to take samples from Ground Zero after the destruction of the Twin Towers, he shares his personal and professional perspectives on the World Trade Center dust. What was in the material that rained down after the disintegration of these buildings? Why did officials wrongly choose to focus on the release of asbestos? How did the size of the dust particles influence the development of the World Trade Center Cough among rescue workers and other New Yorkers? When were respirators used on site and what changes should be made to respirator design now? This book answers these, and many other, questions about the environmental effects, public policy initiatives, health outcomes and scientific findings that played a critical role in the aftermath of September 11th. Beyond providing insightful analysis of what happened then, this book details the significant steps we need to take in order to better prepare for future catastrophes One of the first scientists to take samples from Ground Zero after the destruction of the Twin Towers, Lioy shares his personal and professional perspectives on the World Trade Center dust. What was in the material that rained down after the disintegration of these buildings? Why did officials wrongly choose to focus on the release of asbestos? How did the size of the dust particles influence the development of the World Trade Center Cough among rescue workers and other New Yorkers? When were respirators used on site and what changes should be made to respirator design now? Dust answers these, and many other, questions about the environmental effects, public policy initiatives, health outcomes and scientific findings that played a critical role in the aftermath of September 11th. Beyond providing insightful analysis of what happened then, this book details the significant steps we need to take in order to better prepare for future catastrophes. When life changed Collecting dust at Ground Zero Freeing the WTC dust The path to research and sample analysis Timing is everything for exposure A scientific framework The presence of lead What was in that WTC dust? Into the unknown : exposure and health Talking and writing : to what end? WTC dust sticks like glue Exposure science in future catastrophes Final thoughts Appendix A. Presentation of the detailed data set on the compounds measured in the WTC dust samples Appendix B. Original members of the WTC Technical Panel Appendix C. Comments on WTC Signature Study and Peer Review from Greg Meeker, Paul Lioy, and Mort Lippmann, November 3, 2005. From the Publisher: Despite exhaustive reports about the September 11th attacks at the World Trade Center, no one report examines the dust that poured from the skies as the buildings collapses in as much personal and technical detail as Lioy offers here. From his own experiences examining and analyzing the dust, to his work with the various agencies involved in the aftermath of the disaster, the author puts together a compelling examination of the dust itself and the agencies, mechanisms, and people in place to deal with it. This completely fresh perspective sheds new light on one of our nation's darkest moments Despite exhaustive reports about the September 11th attacks at the World Trade Center, no one report examines the dust that poured from the skies as the buildings collapsed in as much personal and technical detail as Lioy offers here. From his own experiences examining and analyzing the dust, to his work with the various agencies involved in the aftermath of the disaster, the author puts together a compelling examination of the dust itself and the agencies, mechanisms, and people in place to deal with it. This completely fresh perspective sheds new light on one of our nation's darkest moments When life changed Collecting dust at Ground Zero Freeing the WTC dust Who is in charge here? Timing is everything A scientific framework The presence of lead (Pb) What was in that WTC dust? Into the unknown : exposure and health Talking and writing : to what end? WTC dust sticks like glue Exposure science in future catastrophes.