When a building is demolished, asbestos-containing materials don’t stay contained — they get crushed, broken apart, and disturbed in ways that send invisible fibers into the air. Understanding these risks is essential before any demolition or major remodeling project begins.
Although the use of asbestos is now heavily restricted in the United States, it can still be found in thousands of existing structures. Demolition work disturbs those building materials in exactly the ways that release asbestos fibers into the environment.
Why the September 11 Attacks Are a Warning for Every Demolition Project
No event illustrates the dangers of asbestos exposure during demolition more vividly than the collapse of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
The death toll connected to that day continues to grow even now — not from the attack itself, but from the hundreds of tons of asbestos-containing materials that were present in the towers’ construction. Those materials became part of the toxic dust that filled the air of New York City when the buildings fell.
Asbestos fibers are known to cause lung cancer and other serious illnesses. Many first responders are already showing signs of disease — even though these conditions can take decades to fully develop. Toxins inhaled at the attack sites have been linked to illnesses in 176 firefighter deaths, 136 police officer deaths, and 15 FBI agent deaths, CNN reports.
The collapse of the Twin Towers was not planned demolition, of course. Asbestos was not being removed by a licensed contractor using proper containment methods. But that’s precisely what makes it such a powerful example of why asbestos exposure must be accounted for — and minimized — whenever structures are torn down.
Where Does Asbestos Hide in Buildings?
Even though many buildings have had asbestos-containing materials removed over the years, certain asbestos-containing elements often remain embedded in the structure. You may find it:
- Sprayed over steel as a fire and heat prevention measure
- In partitions and cladding
- In cement products and loose insulation
- In textured surface coatings and paints
- Even in some bath panels and toilet seats — it’s a remarkably durable material
What Are the Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure During Demolition?
When asbestos-containing materials are destroyed during demolition, asbestos fibers become airborne and can be inhaled. People exposed to asbestos face significant health risks, and in many cases, the outcomes are fatal. The four major illnesses caused by asbestos exposure are:
- Asbestosis
- Mesothelioma
- Lung cancer
- Diffuse pleural thickening (a debilitating condition)
Why Asbestos Exposure Is So Difficult to Detect
In the United States, asbestos exposure is responsible for approximately 14,000 deaths per year — more than road fatalities in some measures. Part of what makes it so dangerous is that you often don’t know when you’ve been exposed. Unlike a cut or injury you’d notice immediately, you might not realize you’ve been inhaling asbestos fibers for 20 years or more.
For many people who die from asbestos-related diseases today, the exposure happened decades ago. Those who are being exposed right now are unlikely to develop related illnesses for at least another 10 years. By the time the disease is fully developed, it is painful, slow-progressing, and almost always fatal.
How Do You Identify Asbestos Before a Demolition Project?
Asbestos fibers are invisible — asbestos dust looks like any other dust, and asbestos-containing building materials look like any other building material. The only way to protect yourself and your future is through prevention. To identify asbestos, a proper survey must be conducted and samples must be analyzed in a laboratory.
Returning to the World Trade Center — the Health Registry estimates that 410,000 individuals were exposed to asbestos as a result of the unintentional collapse. This includes survivors, rescue personnel, people who were in New York on September 11, and those involved in the recovery and cleanup efforts.
Because asbestos-related diseases typically take 20 to 50 years to manifest symptoms, we can expect a significant number of asbestos-related illnesses to emerge in the coming decades as a direct result of that collapse.
This is why properly planning for asbestos — before any demolition work begins — is not optional. It can mean the difference between a safe project and a legacy of preventable illness.
If you’re planning a demolition or remodeling project and want to make sure asbestos is properly assessed and handled, we’re here to help. Reach out to the ES America team at services@es-america.com before work begins.