灾难伴随着诸多医学问题，医生奉告居民12-24小时闭门莫出，或者利用面罩防止吸入粉尘
Attacks Pose Continued Health Dangers
By Amy Malick ABCNEWS.com
Streets around the World Trade Center and the Pentagon (news - web sites) are filled with toxic fumes and debris that can cause a number of medical problems for the thousands exposed.
Following the attacks on the World Trade Towers and Pentagon, city residents and workers have been navigating along smoke-filled streets.
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But even if they are among the lucky who escaped the explosions, fires and debris, they may not be completely safe.
The streets are filled with toxic fumes and debris that can cause a number of medical problems for the thousands exposed.
Dr. George Leikauf, professor of environmental health and pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, notes that the impact of the collapse produced a cloud containing both large and small floating particles that can be very dangerous to the lungs.
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Large particles of cement, earth, and other matter can induce breathing problems by clogging the nose and throat, and possible eye damage by scratching the cornea.
Smaller particles, gases, and combustion smoke from the fire and explosions are also highly toxic, consisting of numerous irritants that may trigger airway spasms and bring on asthma attacks.
Doctors to New Yorkers: Stay Inside
"People with respiratory disease, especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, bronchitis, and asthma, should stay indoors," advises Leikauf.
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"It is recommended that persons at risk, including children and the elderly, reduce exercise and stay indoors for the next 12-24 hours."
Dr. John Balmes, board member of the American Lung Association and pulmonary physician at San Francisco General Hospital, avidly agrees that the best advice is to stay indoors, though he recommends that if people must go outside, they should wear dust masks to avoid inhaling fine particles.
If masks are unavailable, Balmes says, a damp handkerchief or bandana is the next best thing.
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The American Lung Association further recommends that people with heart and lung problems avoid clean-up activities and any area where dust and soot are present.
For those involved in clean-up, dusty areas should be thoroughly moistened before clearing to reduce stirring up particles. Cleaners, of course, should also wear masks.
The Lung Association also advises when driving through affected areas to keep windows up and air vents closed.
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Risk of Asbestos Exposure?
Though it has not been confirmed, several news agencies have reported the areas near where the Trade Towers stood are filled with asbestos, a common building material used as an insulator and fire retardant until it was eventually banned by government agencies in the 1970s and '80s.
The Trade Center reportedly decided more than 10 years ago to treat the health risk by encapsulating the asbestos to prevent the particles from being inhaled.
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The U.S. Department of Labor has warned that inhaling asbestos can cause asbestosis (scarring of the lungs), lung cancer; and even cancer of the esophagus, stomach, and colon.
Fortunately, asbestos only poses a health risk when the fibers are inhaled, and to be a significant health concern, it must be inhaled at high concentrations over an extended period of time.
"Although no one can say for sure, asbestos exposure in this case will not likely cause any acute, immediate lung problems," said Dr. Lisa Maier, occupational and environmental pulmonologist at National Jewish Medical Center.
"The larger and more immediate concerns are the potential lung problems caused by inhalation of smoke and particulate matter. This is like a volcano erupting.", 百拇医药
By Amy Malick ABCNEWS.com
Streets around the World Trade Center and the Pentagon (news - web sites) are filled with toxic fumes and debris that can cause a number of medical problems for the thousands exposed.
Following the attacks on the World Trade Towers and Pentagon, city residents and workers have been navigating along smoke-filled streets.
, 百拇医药
But even if they are among the lucky who escaped the explosions, fires and debris, they may not be completely safe.
The streets are filled with toxic fumes and debris that can cause a number of medical problems for the thousands exposed.
Dr. George Leikauf, professor of environmental health and pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, notes that the impact of the collapse produced a cloud containing both large and small floating particles that can be very dangerous to the lungs.
, 百拇医药
Large particles of cement, earth, and other matter can induce breathing problems by clogging the nose and throat, and possible eye damage by scratching the cornea.
Smaller particles, gases, and combustion smoke from the fire and explosions are also highly toxic, consisting of numerous irritants that may trigger airway spasms and bring on asthma attacks.
Doctors to New Yorkers: Stay Inside
"People with respiratory disease, especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, bronchitis, and asthma, should stay indoors," advises Leikauf.
, 百拇医药
"It is recommended that persons at risk, including children and the elderly, reduce exercise and stay indoors for the next 12-24 hours."
Dr. John Balmes, board member of the American Lung Association and pulmonary physician at San Francisco General Hospital, avidly agrees that the best advice is to stay indoors, though he recommends that if people must go outside, they should wear dust masks to avoid inhaling fine particles.
If masks are unavailable, Balmes says, a damp handkerchief or bandana is the next best thing.
, 百拇医药
The American Lung Association further recommends that people with heart and lung problems avoid clean-up activities and any area where dust and soot are present.
For those involved in clean-up, dusty areas should be thoroughly moistened before clearing to reduce stirring up particles. Cleaners, of course, should also wear masks.
The Lung Association also advises when driving through affected areas to keep windows up and air vents closed.
, 百拇医药
Risk of Asbestos Exposure?
Though it has not been confirmed, several news agencies have reported the areas near where the Trade Towers stood are filled with asbestos, a common building material used as an insulator and fire retardant until it was eventually banned by government agencies in the 1970s and '80s.
The Trade Center reportedly decided more than 10 years ago to treat the health risk by encapsulating the asbestos to prevent the particles from being inhaled.
, 百拇医药
The U.S. Department of Labor has warned that inhaling asbestos can cause asbestosis (scarring of the lungs), lung cancer; and even cancer of the esophagus, stomach, and colon.
Fortunately, asbestos only poses a health risk when the fibers are inhaled, and to be a significant health concern, it must be inhaled at high concentrations over an extended period of time.
"Although no one can say for sure, asbestos exposure in this case will not likely cause any acute, immediate lung problems," said Dr. Lisa Maier, occupational and environmental pulmonologist at National Jewish Medical Center.
"The larger and more immediate concerns are the potential lung problems caused by inhalation of smoke and particulate matter. This is like a volcano erupting.", 百拇医药