Dust

March 15, 2010
A celebrated specialist in environmental medicine, Keane (the deputy director of Rutgers Occupational Health Science Institute) had a leading role in analyzing the public health issues in lower Manhattan following 9/11. In the chaotic aftermath of the World Trade Center (WTC) terrorist attack, he reports, "the rush to rescue without adequate personal protection... or knowledge of the potential effects of WTC dust" actually tripled the number of victims; some 6,000 first responders and rescue workers (especially those working in the first 72 hours) inhaled a blizzard of white dust released by the explosion and ongoing fires, leading to serious injury and illness (though it could easily have been worse, had winds not moved the smoke plume over Brooklyn and out to sea). In this comprehensive report, Lio chronicles the government's environmental and health assessment efforts, including many setbacks and pitfalls, and lessons that need learning; the most important lesson he derives is the need for greater preparedness in order to "minimize the acute exposure... among workers and the community" in the vicinity of a disaster without diminishing the immediate effort to rescue those in harm's way. Four appendices include an extensive bibliography, 10 tables on dust composition, and the peer review of the EPA's final report.

February 15, 2010
Since the 2001 collapse of the World Trade Center, much has been written about the health risks posed by the material known as WTC dust. In this exhaustive history, Lioy (exposure science, Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences Inst., Rutgers Univ.) brings together the facts and controversies. Lioy was among the first scientists on the scene after the 9/11 attacks, and he gives a detailed account of how his sampling was done and precisely what the dust samples contained. He discusses how other agencies were involved in determining the toxicity of the dust and providing guidance on cleaning it up. A recurring theme is that the public is still basically clueless about what to do in a chemical, radiological, or biological disaster and that we must strive for better ways to deal quickly with catastrophic terrorist events. VERDICT Making a mass of scientific data accessible to the general reader and adding his personal insights, Lioy presents an evenhanded account of a complex subject. Recommended for readers interested in the environmental issues of 9/11 as well as academic and public libraries, especially those with collections in exposure science and emergency management.Ilse Heidmann, Washington State Lib., Olympia

Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2010
A specialist in exposure science, which studies the interaction of people and pollutants, Lioy was involved in the analysis of dust generated by the destruction of the World Trade Center. Prefacing this general-interest presentation of his technical work, Lioy describes his experience of seeing Ground Zero in the days after the terrorist attack and includes photographs of his visits to collect dust samples. After expressing concern that workers were rather cavalier about using respirators, Lioy pitches into his main subject: what was in that dust. Although asbestos was present and, therefore, a great worry, Lioy stresses that it was not the major public health risk. Of greater importance was the general size and shape of dust particles, which influence how the human respiratory system absorbs them, and their chemical composition. Lioy also raises the topic of interagency coordination on 9/11; whos-in-charge bafflement marred the response of environmental and health departments. Striving for public education, Lioy achieves his purpose for readers interested in the health effects of 9/11.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)