If you have worked in the emergency services, then it is important to consider whether you have been exposed to asbestos. If you have, then you should stay aware of any signs that you have developed an asbestos-related cancer.
One of the scenarios where you might have been exposed to is after a building collapse. These can occur for many reasons, from natural phenomena such as hurricanes and earthquakes to manmade causes such as fires or someone targeting the building.
When a building collapses it throws a lot of dust up into the air, and some of that dust may contain carcinogenic toxins. Anyone working to rescue people, secure the building or even just taking part in the clean-up operation will likely breathe some of these in. Years later, they may start to feel the effects of this poisonous dust. Anyone working in a warzone, whether in a military or humanitarian capacity may well have faced similar exposure.
The biggest building collapse on American soil in recent history is that of the Twin Towers. Related illnesses such as cancer have now killed more than 6,400 people, far more than died in the attack itself. Many of those were emergency service workers.
Many old buildings contain asbestos
When a building collapses, any asbestos it contains risks being broken into pieces. Once it becomes airborne it can easily travel into people’s lungs leading to long-term damage that they may not notice for years to come.
If you have worked with a collapsed building, it is worth informing your doctor so they know to keep an eye out for symptoms of asbestos-related cancer. If they find any, you may want to explore your legal options for compensation.