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Terrorism and the Environment

© Kenneth Friedman

The terrorist attacks on Sept 11, 2001, in New York City, Washington, D.C. and western Pennsylvania first affected those on the aircraft, then victims in the targeted buildings and secondarily people who watched the attacks in person or on television, then rescue workers, then families, and sooner or later most of the world.

While initial concern was for victims, their families, and for rescue workers, it did not take long before environmental health concerns arose in New York City. Perhaps the first concern was whether or not airborne debris contained harmful particles such as asbestos or unknown particles from construction and office materials. Initial evaluations reported no expected long-term effects from exposure to particles, although this remains to be seen since there is no baseline for comparison. Subsequent stories, however, touched on renewed concerns for ultra-fine asbestos.

Another early concern was about where runoff generated by water from fire hoses was going. Since Manhatten is an island, it seemed logical that waterborne contaminants would reach surrounding waters. Concern over such runoff seems a minor matter considering the immediate loss of life and long-term effect on survivors and on victims' families. Also, considering the magnitude and unpredictability of the destruction, there was little that could be done about such runoff.

Yet another environmental health concern at the World Trade Center (WTC) was whether any of the intestinal ills associated with tainted water and sanitation facilities common to disaster areas would arise. Such worries seemed unfounded given the availability of infrastructure and medical support, but there are questions about how well our water supplies are protected against terrorism.

Rescue efforts in the days following the crashes in both Washington and New York had to cope with potential breathable hazardous gases from burning materials in the debris. Flammable gas also was a concern.

Shortly after the attacks, government experts and others began worrying about the potential for attacks on nuclear facilities. The Sept. 11 attacks proved the possibility of nuclear terrorism. The problem of evacuating so many people from the WTC raises questions about evacuation options at nuclear facilities where not only employees are a concern but also the surrounding community as well. In a terrorist attack equivalent to that at the Pentagon or WTC, the reality is that except for people farthest from the point of impact, evacuation is moot. Any rush hour traffic jam proves this reality. Nuclear waste storage facilities make another potential target for terrorists as do radioactive materials in transport. See Nuclear Terrorism

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