As the seven-year anniversary of the September 11 World Trade Center attacks approaches, studies are showing that for many of those who aided in rescue and recovery efforts, physical and psychological ailments continue to be a problem.

One of the biggest question marks surrounding the lingering ailments is the effect of the dust-laden air surrounding the collapse of the WTC towers. "What was in the air that day? Pretty much everything that had been in two 100-story buildings--but in vaporized form," says Mike Magee, M.D.

Magee goes on to say "The problem is that it is possible we were not measuring the right things at the time. For example, we are now learning the dangers of nanotubes, micro-miniaturized rolled up sheets of carbon that may be of future use in electronics. A study revealed that mice exposed to the substance responded with cancer development in the same way as when exposed to asbestos. There were no nanotubes in the Twin Towers, and asbestos measures at the time were supposed to be OK. But what about all the other vaporized computers, electronics and building materials we'd never expect to be in our air under normal circumstances?"

The full scope of physical and psychological problems stemming from the September 11 attacks may not be known for many years and there are certainly many challenges that lie ahead. Experts predict that it’s likely we will see problems surrounding 9/11-related illnesses for years to come and that thousands of these individuals will likely need lifelong care.

On Friday, a California advocacy group for asbestos victims, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), sued CBS Corporation, a toy maker and several retailers over the sale of a toy based on a CBS series. ADAO said laboratory tests showed that the toy, a crime-scene kit based on the series “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” contained asbestos in a powder used to dust for fingerprints. The manufacturer of the kits, Planet Toys Inc., removed them from the market last year because of the group’s assertions but said that multiple tests had shown no asbestos.

ADAO wants to stop sales of the kits unless they carry a hazardous material warning and to allow the return of the kits for a full refund.

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April 1st marks the beginning of the first annual National Asbestos Awareness Week - a time to raise awareness about the dangers and harm that asbestos can bring about. While we applaud the US Congress for taking action in raising public awareness about the dangers of asbestos, we cannot help but notice that their legislation is not vigilant enough. An awareness week is certainly a step in the right direction, but why has Congress not yet banned asbestos? Over 40 other countries have outlawed the substance, and still we remain one of the very few who have not.

Last year, it seemed there was promise on the horizon. A bill made its way through the Senate outlining a ban on asbestos. Hundreds of people testified for the bill but when it was finally passed, these supporters were shocked to see the outcome: the bill had been diluted and hardly any restrictions on asbestos were enacted. While the EPA insisted the bill should prohibit any product to which asbestos is deliberately added or used, or in which asbestos is otherwise present in any concentration, lobbyists from mines, auto companies, and businesses were able to water down the bill.

The result: a lax bill that does hardly anything to protect against asbestos-related diseases:

- The bill will not prevent the sale of talc powder, which is an asbestos-based material used in children’s clay, even though it has been proven that talc mine workers contracted disease due to asbestos exposure.

- The bill will not prevent the sale of taconite waste, which contains asbestos, to be used in construction across the country. Even though taconite has a high concentration of asbestos, companies plan to sell it claiming it is asbestos-free. The bill will do nothing to stop this.

- The bill will not prevent the sale of vermiculite, an asbestos-based substance used in home insulation. Hundreds of vermiculite mine workers have contracted mesothelioma, but the bill does nothing to prevent the re-opening of the mine. Once opened, neither the mine nor vermiculite sales would be monitored.

This bill will continue to make its way through Congress this year. Its intention was great, but it lost its meaning now that it has been diluted. An Awareness Week is admirable, but we hope that Congress' attention shifts to the more pressing issue: a total ban of asbestos

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization’s fourth annual Asbestos Awareness Day Conference was met with overwhelming response this year. Registration has long been closed because the conference filled quickly, but the group is already advertising next year’s event. This year’s conference will officially begin in Detroit tomorrow, with a small reception the tonight. The conference runs through the 30th, concluding with a memorial and remembrance brunch.

The conference’s mission statement reads, “This international conference will provide education and outreach to affected families, employers, employees and scientists throughout the world as part of the ADAO's continuing efforts to educate the public about the dangers of asbestos, ban its use and encourage research efforts to improve treatment options. Prominent physicians, scientists, safety and health directors professionals and persons interested in asbestos will present current and up-to-date information regarding the status of asbestos in the United States, Canada and worldwide.”

The conference is held in preparation for National Asbestos Awareness day: April 1. The ADAO is selling awareness wristbands to educate the public that asbestos is still not banned.

To learn more about the conference visit the ADAO website, where you can also sign a petition and learn how to contact Congress about banning asbestos.