Over the last eight years, 817 workers and volunteers have died from injuries related to the toxins and chemicals released into the air after the attacks of September 11, 2001. Nearly 2,800 died on that day in New York City alone.
And on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 a few hundred yards from Ground Zero, first responders, recovery and clean-up workers joined elected officials, to demand the passage of a long-term, permanent health care and compensation Bill named for one of those post 9/11 casualties, James Zadroga.
“We’ve gathered at Ground Zero many times,” said Congressmember Carolyn Maloney, who represents parts of Queens and Manhattan. “But the truth is I don’t want to do this next year. I don’t want to have to gather with friends next year and say for the ninth time – that this is the year when our country should finally meet its moral responsibility to care for those who lost their health because of an act of terror against our nation.”
An estimated 50,000 to 100,000 workers and volunteers from across the United States became involved in the rescue, recovery and clean-up efforts after the attack, and exposed themselves to environmental toxins and chemicals such as cement, glass dust, asbestos, fiberglass, alkaline, and lead. Many also suffer from psychological trauma.
Statistics from the National Institutes for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), show that as of March 31, 2009, more than 51,000 World Trade Center (WTC) responders nationwide have met eligibility and have enrolled in the medical monitoring and treatment programs, according to Fred Blosser, a NIOSH spokesperson.
NIOSH created the criteria of 9/11 health related ailments, which include asthma, chronic cough syndrome, sleep apnea, chronic rhinosinusitus, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and depression among others.
However, Congress has funded the medical monitoring and treatment program on a yearly basis and has yet to determine appropriations for fiscal year 2010, according to Blosser.
The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Health and Compensation Act of 2009 provides a mechanism for the continuous funding of the WTC monitoring and treatment programs with a payment rate based on federal compensation systems like Black Lung disease, energy workers and members of Congress.
Workers’ compensation, public and private insurance plans would be primary payers, however.
Another attribute of the WTC health program would be the reopening of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) closed on December 22, 2003, which provided initial aid to families of 9/11 victims and individuals who suffered injury.
Since 9/11, occupational health experts believe that some patients have not yet been evaluated or treated for their WTC illness, the VCF would still compensate those diagnosed after the deadline.
“The federal government has a responsibility to those who are sick,” said Congressmember Jerrold Nadler of Lower Manhattan. “They have become sick because of 9/11, so they should be covered under this bill.”
