The EPA (environmental protection agency) and OSHA took air samples in the days following September 11th, they reported that they found no excessive levels of asbestos contrary to other findings. They also claimed that they found no excessive levels of lead, organic compounds or anything else except in and around ground zero. Other dust samples were taken from surfaces near ground zero and did show very high levels of asbestos. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH's) continued to remain a health hazard even into 2003, the EPA collected their air samples from late 2001 through mid-2002 at two locations (a fence surrounding ground zero, and 0.4 miles from ground zero). The levels recorded at ground zero were much higher and remained elevated for a longer period than those recorded at the other location proving that ground zero was the source of the pollution.

And yet, even with studies showing there was contamination and pollutants resulting from and emanating from the area, the public and responders were assured there were no risks to their health and that they did not have to wear masks.

Read more: What is going on when it comes to 9-11 Illnesses

In 2008 the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review a series of lower court rulings that restrict the United States Navy's use of sonar in submarine detection training exercises off the coast of Southern California. For many years, professor Parsons had been tracking the patterns of whale and other sea animals beaching themselves around the world. In his paper, “Navy Sonar and Cetaceans: Just how much does the gun need to smoke before we act?”

Read more: Strange Noises, Possible Link to Mass Animal Deaths

With the anniversary of September 11^th literally just around the corner, unanswered questions still remain for families who lost loved ones during the tragic event, as well as from families who lost them after the incident. Often times the public forgets that it wasn't only just the 2,996 lives lost during the attacks on 9/11 but there were also victims in the following weeks, months, even years after 9/11 from exposure.

Read more: 9-11 Eleven Years Later