1. Introduction
1.1 Humanity has been facing environmental tragedies since the dawn of civilization. Such tragedies were decreed by the Creator because of human misdeeds or else they were caused by anthropogenic activity. Nature punishes humans whenever they interfere with natural phenomena. Since the Industrial Revolution human outlook has been fast sliding down from morality towards greed in worldly materials, the world as a whole is divided over wrong standards of wealth, power, living style, political hegemony and military might, consequently conflicts of varying kinds have cropped up. The World Trade Centre (WTC) was targeted on 9/11, 2001 in the same background.
1.2 Numerous studies have been carried out to ascertain the causes for destruction of the WTC, agents responsible for this nefarious act and the aftermath impact, here many theories, suppositions and analytical discourses have been presented. Notwithstanding the ensuing adverse impacts, this paper intends to highlight the environmental decay generated by human beings themselves through demolition of a structure raised by their brethren. Viable recommendations will be made for averting such incidents in future in the best interest of humanity.
2.1 Adverse Impacts on Physical Environments
2.1.1 Physical environments include land, water, noise, vibrations atmosphere, etc.
2.1.2 Building materials include cement, sand, aggregates, steel, metals, plastics, wood, timber, asbestos, curtains of various brands, electric components, safety & security parts, etc.
2.1.3 Once the Twin Towers fell huge clouds of smoke and dust were produced, additionally smell and stench, noise and vibrations were also produced which were hazardous to humans. Injurious gases and chemicals like Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs/), Polychlorinated furans, lead, mercury and many more were also generated. Due to burning and combustion such byproducts polluted the building site and all its surroundings. Areas including Lower Manhattan were severely impacted while the air was polluted to such a degree that was dangerous to human survival.
2.2 Deleterious Impacts on Biological Environments
2.2.1 Biological Environments are flora, fauna, wildlife, rangelands, crop lands, medical plants and others.
2.2.2 The WTC site is totally urban and built up where biological landscapes are not found. WTC had flower beds and plants and a small amount of greenery which were completely burnt and turned into ashes. The carbon particles entered into the atmosphere thereby making respiration difficult or almost impossible.
2.3 Injurious Damages to social, economic, health, cultural, corporate, safety, security environments.
2.3.1 Damages to Life
Total deaths were 2753. The relevant workers and residents who were physically injured or had been affected by ailments were 100,000 and 400,000 respectively.
2.3.2 Economic Losses
The families of the deceased and injured had suffered social issues like breakups and loss of cohesion. Businesses of individuals and companies were destroyed. Compensations provided did provide some relief.
2.3.3 Health Concerns
o The pollutants were varied in nature and impact and had created synergistic impacts on those affected. Many of them suffered respiratory issues while others were carcinogenic. These diseases were acute to chronic.
o Common Diseases
Common diseases were as under:
1. Respiratory ailments like Asthma, Bronchial damages, cough and lung decay
2. Psychological trauma
3. Post-traumatic stress disorder
4. Dementia
5. Risk for GERD
o Symptoms even appeared in certain patients after a lapse of 20 years period. Incidentally, the incidents of COVID-19 is higher in survivors of WTC.
2.3.4 Generation of huge quantity of demolition waste.
2.3.5 Payment of huge compensation amounts for losses to life and property
3. RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 Despite a lapse of 20 years the environmental degradation caused by the WTC is still haunting the minds and souls of affectees. The world must realize that such miseries can no more be tolerated.
3.2 Let us concentrate on finding out the root causes so that similar incidents may not occur again.
3.3 One should learn some lessons from the wars and battles that occurred in the aftermath of 9/11 and were fought around the globe. If human bloodshed continues to be shed incidents like 9/11 will keep on cropping up. Let us resolve to keep Mother Earth clean, green, safe, secure and socially in a benign abode for the entire Divine Creations.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Global Voices
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4. Hussain, M, 2020, Islam & Environment, The Environ Publications, Lahore.
5. Hussain, M, Islam and Environment, Vol-I & II, The Environ Publications, Lahore (Pakistan)
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