‘Absolutely Horrifying’

Several thousand other responders who’ve developed health problems since 9/11 have also turned to the courts. “Every day, people come into my office who have trouble breathing,” says attorney David Worby, who has filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of more than 8,000 workers at Ground Zero against several defendants, including the city of New York, the Port Authority, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and contractors with workers at the site. “If we don’t get these people the help and treatment they need now, more of them may die than died on 9/11,” says Worby, who categorizes about 1,000 of his clients as “severely ill.”

Will the government create another fund for responders who didn't qualify for the Victim Compensation Fund? So far, it’s given no indication it will do so. But, as Mount Sinai’s Levin points out, billions of dollars in aid were recommended for recovery efforts after the attacks. “Out of such a vast amount of money, wouldn’t it be possible to set some aside to take care of this group of responders?” he asks. “I can’t see how any rational social policy can say it’s OK for these guys to suffer.”

Politicians from the tristate area have also been lobbying for more federal funds and an established protocol for tracking and treating the health problems suffered by those exposed to the toxins at Ground Zero. In March, the Centers for Disease Control said it would distribute $75 million of the $125 million already allocated in aid to help track and treat 9/11-related health problems—the first federal money to be spent directly on medical treatment for 9/11 health effects, says New York Democratic Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. There are signs it won't be the last.

“There’s no doubt there’s a national responsibility here,” agrees Howard, the recently appointed federal coordinator of 9/11 health issues. “These people went down there to help without thinking about their own safety—they’re heroes. It’s important that we treat them that way.”

For those like Feal and Sanchez, such treatment couldn’t come soon enough.

© 2006