When Disaster Strikes, Bad Air Is Left Behind

No one needs to be reminded about the tragedy that occurred on September 11, 2001 when two hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center. Immediately, people around the world knew that history had just occurred, and that this was not something that we were soon to forget. And while we shouldn’t forget about what happened that terrible day and the lives that were lost, there are other reminders of that day that aren’t as honorable or worthy of remembrance. One of those is the toxic air that was left lingering at Ground Zero that day.

Stories soon emerged that the firefighters that worked through the rubble trying to find survivors and clear the debris soon started suffering respiratory problems. Not surprising, considering how much dust, gas fumes, and other poisonous air hung in that space for so long. However, ten years later, those same firefighters are still suffering the harsh effects of working Ground Zero, and the damage that’s been done to their respiratory systems may be permanent.

The news comes from a 7-year study done by New York doctors. The study observed a group of New York City Firefighters that were present at Ground Zero immediately after the planes crashed and studied them and their respiratory functions over a span of 7 years. The doctors would check in with the firefighters periodically, monitoring and recording their respiratory progress. The results showed that respiratory functions slowly declined and that in many cases, the damage that was done during those days and weeks may be a permanent reminder of what happened that terrible day. (Find out more details of the study here (http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Asthma/911-firefighters-september-11-rescue-workers-lung-problems/story?id=10314431.)

Unfortunately, there wasn’t a lot that could be done at the time. The problem was a relatively new one to most, and no one was prepared for it. Even people who lived in the area or needed to walk around the city for the next several weeks also felt the effects of the toxic air. Unfortunately, there’s nothing that can really totally eliminate air that is so toxic, in such a large space – and it certainly can’t happen overnight. However, people can now help prepare themselves better by having products on hand that will actually help clean and sanitize the air. Two such products are our Room Shocker 30-Day Release product (http://www.biocidesystems.com/room-shocker-30-day-timerelea30.html) or our Room Shocker Quick Release product (http://www.biocidesystems.com/roomshocker1.html.) Both of these products release chlorine dioxide into the air that not only take away bad smells in the air that toxins leave behind, but the chlorine dioxide also sanitizes and sterilizes the air. So not only is the air fresher, but it’s healthier and easier to breathe in as well.

Terrorist attacks certainly don’t happen every day, and hopefully you won’t ever be in a situation where you need to seriously worry about the air you breathe, inside or outside your home. But the fact is that more and more explosions, eruptions, wars, oil spills, and other disasters are making the news every day in some part of the world. And when you’re packing your emergency kit with things you’ll need “just in case”, a product that will clean whatever air is around you is always great to have on hand.