Additional Coverage:
- ‘Breathing toxic dust on 9/11 led to a 25-year search for answers and a double lung transplant’ (themirror.com)
On the morning of September 11, 2001, Alexander Mandl’s day began like that of many New Yorkers-ordinary and unassuming. At 31, newly married, and recently assigned from Goldman Sachs’ London office to their New York headquarters, Mandl found himself just blocks away from the World Trade Center as tragedy unfolded.
Mandl and his colleagues were attending a training session on the 20th floor of the Goldman Sachs building when they noticed unusual activity outside: papers drifting through the air. Initially, Mandl thought it was a ticker tape parade, but the grim reality soon emerged.
The North Tower had been struck by a plane, followed minutes later by a second hit on the South Tower. Urgency gripped the building, and employees evacuated amid growing chaos.
Mandl took refuge in a friend’s nearby apartment on Greenwich Street. With his friend’s severe asthma in mind, they sealed windows and doors with wet towels to shield themselves from the thick smoke while watching the towers burn on television. From there, Mandl called his pregnant wife, Ilona, who was in Paris, to assure her of his safety.
However, the ordeal was far from over. At 4 p.m., an evacuation order for all of Lower Manhattan forced Mandl outside, where he inhaled toxic dust and debris that would impact his health for decades to come. This exposure led to chronic respiratory problems, culminating in a double lung transplant 25 years later.
Mandl’s breathing difficulties began almost immediately, marked by a harsh, acrid smell and persistent coughing. At first, he believed the symptoms would pass quickly.
But over the years, the burning sensation in his throat and relentless exhaustion worsened. By 2011, a father of three, Mandl struggled with basic tasks like carrying his newborn and climbing stairs.
Living in Barcelona at the time, he sought medical advice across Europe, ultimately undergoing a biopsy that revealed asbestos and chemicals linked to the World Trade Center dust.
Initially reluctant to identify as a 9/11 survivor, Mandl credits his wife for encouraging him to seek help. His condition progressed from a sarcoidosis-like inflammation to non-idiopathic fibrosis, a severe lung disease associated with prolonged exposure to toxic substances at Ground Zero.
In 2025, Mandl underwent a double lung transplant at Vall d’Hebron hospital in Barcelona. He describes the experience as a mental “fog lifting,” the first time in years he could breathe easily.
The transplant allowed him to regain a quality of life that included skiing, traveling, and returning to the U.S. Yet, the journey remains challenging.
Transplant recipients face risks such as infections and immune system complications, and Mandl has already experienced lung rejection, reducing his lung capacity by half.
Despite these setbacks, Mandl has channeled his experience into helping others. He founded Hemsel, a company supporting healthcare innovators in bringing new solutions to market. Additionally, he opened his home to families traveling to Barcelona for transplant surgeries, providing a stable and supportive environment during uncertain times.
Mandl’s health struggles have also intersected with the ongoing fight for 9/11-related compensation. Recognized under the James Zadroga Act, he receives support from the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund for his medical treatment. Yet, he has not been compensated for economic losses incurred after losing his Goldman Sachs position due to declining health-a frustration he attributes partly to living abroad.
Nearly 25 years after the attacks, the impact of the toxic dust at Ground Zero remains profound. Thousands of first responders and survivors have suffered from cancers and respiratory illnesses linked to the disaster. According to recent data from the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund, over 5,800 individuals have died from 9/11-related cancers, with more than 57,000 cases documented and nearly 9,700 deaths among first responders and survivors.
Alexander Mandl’s story is a poignant reminder that the repercussions of that day continue to unfold, affecting lives long after the towers fell. His resilience and commitment to supporting others highlight the ongoing need for recognition, care, and compensation for those who continue to bear the scars of September 11.