Most Ground Zero rescue workers now suffer from toxic exposure

The majority of the 40,000 rescue and recovery workers who responded to the 11 September 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York could be suffering health problems as a result of toxic exposures.

A new study by doctors at Mount Sinai Medical Center has found nearly 70 per cent of firefighters, police officers, emergency medical crews, construction workers, utility workers and volunteers have suffered new or worsened lung and other health problems.

Nearly two-thirds (61 per cent) of those with no previous health concerns had developed lung problems. One in five of the responders had a low lung capacity, five times the expected rate.

The report outlines a 'complex list of toxic chemicals' - from jet fuel to asbestos to PCBs - to which workers were exposed immediately after the attacks and during the months-long cleanup.

Dr Robin Herbert, co-director of the group that investigated the long-term effects from exposure to dust at the site, said: 'There should no longer be any doubt about the health effects of the World Trade Center. Our patients are sick and will need ongoing health monitoring and treatment for the rest of their lives.'

The findings are based on thorough medical examinations of more than 9,000 of the 40,000 workers. Health campaigners say the government and other authorities attempted to cover up the toxic risk in their haste to re-open the city, particularly Wall Street.

Bush officials pressured the Environmental Protection Agency to tone down reports about the potential health hazards.

NY senator Hillary Rodham Clinton commented: 'Our government was not telling us the truth, The air was not safe to breathe. It was obvious that the air was hard to see through, let alone breathe.'

Whatever the circumstances, practical accident support, compensation claim assistance and legal advice is available free of charge from our expert First Response team on freephone 0800 037 1066.

Free legal advice direct to your inbox: Ask Law Answers your compensation claim legal question.