[OldFriend]

There were two choices, evacuate the city for an untold period of time or do the best to provide resperators for the heroes who worked tirelessly to rescue people.

It was impossible to not know that the air was contaminated.

Further it only rained once in the following month so the air couldn't even be cleaned by rain.

The WTC burned for about one month. The air was constantly filled with smoke from the fires and from the particles that continuously fell from the roof and sides of buildings.

Other than an evacuation I don't see what could have been done.

[EBH]

The WTC burned 100 days.

[alice_in_bubbaland]

"Other than an evacuation I don't see what could have been done."

The issue that concerns me is that no independent air monitoring companies were allowed to monitor the air. We had to take the EPA's word for it. I know & understand the gravity of the situation, brave workers were at first, trying to rescue survivors or find the dead.

But,why no independent monitoring of the air quality???? I find that the most troublesome.

[Calpernia]

I think it smoldered until 12/2001 Old Friend.

[johnnycap]

I was there. It was impossible not to know the air was contaminated. It smelled like a bunson burner for months down there and I was amazed guys were refusing to wear their masks. Just a few minutes left your throat stripped and dry...