Over 3,000 people died in the 2001 terrorist attacks on the September 11th attacks in New York but the death toll is set to rise due to a hidden killer. The Twin towers which dominated the Manhattan skyline were completed in the early seventies and experienced much of their construction during a period in which Asbestos was perfectly legal.

The buildings were fireproofed throughout their construction but it was by the time builders had completed the 40th floors that asbestos was banned and alternatives were used. Despite the ban there was no rule forcing builders to remove existing material, of which the cost was estimated at more than the value of the buildings themselves.

When the buildings eventually collapsed, much of the debris was pulverised and released into the air as dust which contained many toxic chemicals. The dust remained present for over 5 weeks but asbestos can contaminate any material and there could still be many buildings, walls and furniture that could put residents at risk.

Despite the Environmental Protection Agency declaring the city safe for residents just a few days after the event many thousands of workers, volunteers and residents had already been exposed and if not were putting themselves at maximum risk by returning to the area. A study discovered that 76% of all surviving first responders, workers and local residents are already suffering from respiratory problems.

Approximately 100,000 people have been exposed to toxic materials which could develop into a variety of diseases such as Asbestosis, Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma in years to come.

In 2006 a New York Fire Official died of Mesethelioma, Deborah Reeve was declared the first fatality of the 9/11 attacks directly linked to exposure to asbestos but if research has given accurate results she is unlikely to be the last victim of the attacks as experts say many more will suffer in years to come.