911 Toxic Dust News
June 26, 2006 -
Emergency workers gauge Sept. 11, 2001, health toll
The Associated Press
NEW YORK CITY — Two days after arriving at ground zero to clear debris from the smoking ruins of the World Trade Center, David Miller could feel the physical effects.
"I was practically blind, I was coughing, I had blisters all up and down my arms," the National Guardsman said Sunday at a discussion about lingering health problems among first responders. "If I'd been smart, I wouldn't have gone back."
Nearly five years later, the 39-year-old suffers from hacking, bloody coughs, chronic lung infections, skin rashes and a 60 percent loss of lung capacity, he said.
Miller was among several first responders to speak Sunday at the event organized by the nonprofit group New York 9/11 Truth, which claims that the government covered up intelligence failures leading to the attacks and accuses officials of exposing rescue workers to toxic conditions at ground zero.
Kevin McPadden, a former Air Force medic, said his rescue and recovery work in the days after the Sept. 11, 2001, left him struggling with depression and anger.
"Every day is a challenge," he said. "I really don't feel alive. I'm a very bitter man."
Last week, a U.S. federal court judge heard arguments over whether the city and its contractors should be granted immunity against lawsuits filed on behalf of thousands of emergency workers who got sick after working in the dust of the World Trade Center. The city has argued it has legal immunity against the claims.
Les Jamieson, who organized Sunday's event at The Community Church of New York in Manhattan, said that, for some who felt they should have been financially compensated, the panel offered an opportunity to speak out.
"We're not just talking about health here," he said. "There are serious financial and psychological issues as well, and a lot of people are being left out in the cold."
- Congressman Engel Urges Quick Passage Of 9-11 Health And Compensation Act
Congressman Eliot Engel re-affirmed his support of the passage of H.R. 847 (the 9-11 Health and Compensation Act) following his meeting with Leona Hill on Tuesday, March 31, 2009. Ms. Hill lost her brother, Leon Heyward, in 2008 at age 45 due to complications of the toxic air he breathed as a volunteer at Ground Zero.
Representative Engel is an original co-sponsor of the legislation. He told the Judiciary Committee at a legislative hearing on the bill: “People like Mr. Heyward were the unsung heroes of 9-11 and are part of the still-growing death total from those horrific attacks. He may not have died in the buildings or on the planes that fateful day, but he and other rescue workers who raced to the scene – many of whom stayed for weeks – are victims of that attack nonetheless. We owe them the level of reverence and respect fitting to men and women that have laid their lives on the line for their country and their fellow man.”
Leon Heyward was an inspector with the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs near the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. He helped to evacuate his colleagues from the destruction and in doing so made many trips into the dust clouds at their most dangerous levels. In 2002, he was diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis. This is a progressive disease of the fibers in the lungs and has attacked many 9-11 rescue workers. His illness was complicated by lymphoma and he died last year. His death may well have been the result of dust exposure given how many other cases are being linked to that terrible day.
Shockingly, New York City officials denied his workers’ compensation claim even though the New York City medical examiner’s report ruled his death a homicide related to 9-11. Mr. Heyward continued to work at his job until his health deteriorated and he had to retire in 2005.
Representative Engel expressed his anger saying: The treatment of Mr. Heyward and the others like him has been outrageous. We witnessed incredible displays of heroism on 9-11 from everyday Americans – on Flight 93, in the Pentagon and in the buildings and surrounding streets in Lower Manhattan. It is our responsibility to take care of them with the same kind of selflessness they showed to their friends, co-workers and total strangers. Passage of this act is an important step towards doing just that.”
It is thought that more than 400,000 people were exposed to toxins at Ground Zero. This includes almost 16,000 first responders; 2,700 who are currently sick and receiving treatment; over 40,000 first responders who are currently being medically followed and 71,000 people who are enrolled in the WTC Health Registry. Not all of the rescue workers were from the New York Metropolitan area. Many people from all over the U.S. came to help and they too were affected by the deadly dust.
H.R. 846 is written to provide medical treatment and follow up to victims exposed at Ground Zero. As an adjunct to existing programs it provides expert medical treatment at Centers of Excellence and provides for research into WTC health related conditions. The bill will also restore the 9-11 Victim Compensation Fund for economic losses and harm that would normally proceed to court and provides liability protection to the WTC contractors and New York City.
Rep. Engel added, “I want to thank Ms. Hill for taking the time to come to Washington to share with me and other Members of Congress her brother’s story. Putting a face and a name to the plight of rescue workers will hopefully help push this legislation towards passage.”
