A Review of the Toxicants Found in World Trade Center Dust
Abstract
Abstract: The collapse of the World Trade Center Twin Towers and World Trade Center Building 7 resulted
in a cataclysmic release of dust, now called World Trade Center (WTC) dust, in Lower Manhattan and the
surrounding communities. Approximated one million tons of dust and smoke were released. A number of
toxicants with known adverse health outcomes were found in the dust. These chemicals include polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), many of which are known
carcinogens. Other organic compounds detected included phthalate esters and polychlorinated dibenzo-pdiozins (PCDDs) and dibenzfuroans (PCDFs). Asbestos was also identified in the dust. In recent years, a
number of adverse health outcomes have been associated with exposure to the WTC dust. These adverse
health outcomes include respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. This paper offers a short review of the toxicants found in the WTC dust.
