The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) defines the 9/11 NYC “Exposure Zone” as all of Lower Manhattan south of Canal Street/Clinton Street. For responders, the NYC Exposure Zone also includes additional locations where 9/11-related debris was handled, such as debris removal routes from Manhattan to the Fresh Kills landfill, as well as sites where contaminated vehicles or equipment were used or cleaned.
The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) calls this area the Disaster Area, a larger area that includes all of Lower Manhattan south of Houston Street and several blocks of Brooklyn Heights.
Both the VCF and WTCHP also recognize the Pentagon and the Shanksville, Pennsylvania crash site as part of the overall 9/11 Exposure Zone.
The Exposure Zone is so large that it is estimated that up to 500,000 people were exposed to the 9/11 toxins. Making matters worse, the toxins contaminated the Exposure Zone for many months, though the end of July 2002, exposing hundreds of thousands of people– residents, workers, students, and visitors– to serious cancers and other health risks.
