This is not rocket science.
I would venture to guess that the worst culprits causing lung disease after 9/11 were particles like asbestos, tiny particles of metal, tiny particles of rock, etc, in other words, particles of dust, rather than smoke, per se.
In a situation where smoke inhalation or dust inhalation can't be avoided, health and safety require the use of filtration devices. Even a simple bandanna, shirt-tail, t-shirt, bra-cup, whatever, don't be embarrassed, do what it takes to preserve your health.
In dangerous situations like fires, I have read recommendations that you wet the makeshift cloth, even with urine it that's all you have. That's the advice I've given my children, I have no idea whether it works, but in that situation, that's what I'd do.
But firefighters are issued very specialized masks that cover eyes, mouth, and nose, they don't need makeshifts made out of t-shirts.
Why didn't the workers use masks?
I doubt that it was due to "evil corporations who wanted to maximize profit without any consideration for the workers." |
