September 11, is the anniversary of the destruction of the World Trade Center. Such a painful day in so many ways. Thousands of people were killed, others still suffering from the air quality inhaled by helping and saving lives at the epicenter of the tragedy. Yet when the sky is blue and clear and the temperature in the sixties or low seventies it’s the perfect time of the year in New York. It’s so ironic that when you would like to describe a day of perfect weather without a cloud in the sky and comfortable humidity you will say, “it’s a 911 day out today”. The worst day in the history of our nation was also the day with the best weather. Does this mean that it was also satisfactory air quality on the day before the destruction of the Twin Towers? How is air quality measured?

Who could ever forget seeing the second plane crash into the second tower live on television. When the first tower fell it was labeled an accident but when the second one was destroyed, we had to come to terms with the fact that our city had become the victim of the most behemoth terror attack in our country’s history.

Presently, The World Trade Center Health Program checks and treats over 123,000 survivors and first responders who are suffering with extended ongoing health issues such as cancer and lung problems associated with 9/11. Of the many firefighters who responded to the attack on the World Trade Center on 9/11, 343 died in the attack and over 370 have since died after being exposed to the toxic fumes while performing acts of heroism. Just this year alone, the deaths in New York City of the number of firemen who have succumbed as the result of illness from the World Trade Center tragedy is twenty-eight.

Although professionals assured residents and office workers that it was safe to return to their homes and offices after several days, the air quality of the downtown and surrounding areas was anything but safe. Folks were so concerned with the unparalleled amount of dead and injured people that the air quality issues were put aside. A year after the catastrophe came the realization that this tragedy and the aftercoming fires caused the worst air pollution in the history of New York City.

Since airplanes were included in the disaster, the thousands of gallons of jet fuel caused not only fires but toxic smoke fumes that were sent by winds to other boroughs of the city such as Brooklyn. Massive amounts of particulate matter, fiberglass and cement along with many other toxins such as asbestos were shot into the air. The fires lasted over three months with a terrible odor caused by toxic gases.

The World Trade Center’s project began at a time when asbestos was used ordinarily in the construction of buildings. Ironically asbestos was a popular fire preventive material that has tragically been the cause of many breathing issues, dementia and cancer. The World Trade Center construction began in 1966 and by the early 1970’s spraying on asbestos for fireproofing was banned, however, this material had already been utilized for forty floors of the North Tower.

All ages in our population who were in the vicinity of the Twin Towers during and after the tragedy continue to suffer from the after effects including children who did not live there but went to school in that vicinity The prestigious Stuyvesant High School was the first school to reopen after the attacks which caused both students, teachers and staff to suffer adversely from inhaling the debris which lasted for months. Also, there was a special barge that collected remaining debris that was situated right across the street from the school which added to the unsafe air quality.

As the Twin Towers came crashing down like a pile of blocks, particulates such as asbestos fibers produced a cloud of dust which was inhaled by so many individuals that we can never know the count. Only by people dying from asbestos-related illness can we get somewhat of an idea of the massive contamination caused by the Twin Towers collapse.

To remember a horrific day with some reverence is truly amazing. There are some people who can find a silver lining in the most devastating situations in life. For example, a group of Rabbis were walking in Jerusalem over a thousand years ago and they came across a dead animal’s carcass. One of the rabbi’s remarked how horrific it was but another Rabbi answered positively, “but look at his beautiful white teeth.” Yes, there are some individuals who can put a positive slant on the most negative situations and catastrophes. Many if not most survivors of the Holocaust describe the miracles of their survival even in the deadly concentration camps. How could they possibly find solace in such a horrifying disaster? Yet, those who did survive were witnesses to divine intervention in their titanic experiences during the war. So too the day of the World Trade Center tragedy is remembered and spoken of as the most beautiful day they have seen in New York City.

What is the Air Quality Index?

Many years (in 1970) ago there was an unsuccessful Broadway show called“ On a Clear Day You Can See Forever” and although this show did not make millions at the box office the title song became quite popular and ultimately it was made into a Barbra Streisand movie. These September days are reminiscent of the song where the sky is blue, the sun is shining with a slight breeze blowing to make it just perfect for spending the day outside if you are fortunate enough to escape the office. Here is an interesting query. If the sky looks clear and the air is easy to breathe does this mean that the air quality is satisfactory?

Here is a summary of yesterday’s air quality in Brooklyn, New York:

Date: 09/10/24

Temperature High: 75°F

Humidity: 47%

Winds: 5 MPH

Air Quality: Good

As you can see these four measurements add up to a perfect day with good air quality. It’s surprising the humidity was at 47% since the weather did not feel humid in the least. Winds at five miles per hour are perfect measurements for a slight breeze that will not ruffle any bird’s feathers nor ruin a girl’s hairstyle. There is a calibration called, air quality index which considers other variables besides the temperature, humidity and wind. Air quality is measured by a barometer called the air quality index.

The air quality index or AQI tells the public exactly what the level of air pollution is on a given day. The measurement is divided into five different categories identified by a number and color for each. The most that the AQI can go up to is 100 and then the local air quality regulators will alert people who are irritated by such pollutants. Below are the categories and their descriptions. A notification is sent out if the AQI goes past 300 to all citizens in the polluted area.

Particle Pollution: There are two types of particles that are transmitted via construction site dust, vehicle pollution, and wildfire smoke. They are called PM2.5 and PM10.

Sulfur Dioxide: Comes from fossil fuels burning and is scary because it’s odorless.

Carbon Monoxide: Also, odorless which comes from manufacturing plants, wildfires, and burning gas from stoves and barbeques.

Ozone: Air such as Los Angeles’ smog containing two types of toxic gasses, (fire causing volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides).

Nitrous Dioxide: is a brownish reddish very volatile gas coming from gas powered vehicles and power plants.

Does Weather Affect AQI?

These five gases are the main measurements of the air quality index. The AQI measures different gases at different times of the day with some being measured hourly and others daily. Due to the overwhelming wildfires in the West, there were forty times that the AQI went up to 500. Air quality varies day to day, for example, surprisingly a sunny day will cause more pollution because the rays of the sun have a negative interaction with harmful pollutants. Wind can change the course of pollutants by moving them from one area to another. Rain on the other hand can at least temporarily wash away toxins. Air conditioning use during hot weather increases the use of electricity which causes power plants’ increased usage of fossil fuels.

Final Words

The World Trade Center disaster was not only an attack on buildings and people, but the terrorists also attacked our environment by leaving a detrimental lasting effect on it. People who were there are still getting sick and dying from inhaling the fumes from the attack until today. Emergency medical teams as well as the fire department came voluntarily to help the situation, putting their own lives in jeopardy and thinking only of saving lives.

Air pollution monitoring is a complicated process, and the weather has a lot to do with it in surprising ways. Even today, cleanup is taking place in apartment houses and stores that were impacted by the attack. Government and private resources are still needed to aid those impacted until today.