9/11 Still Killing

[Teresa]

A man with an unpronounceable name held up the jar of ten year-old dust on TV this morning.  It was collected from ground zero and is believed to be the cause of emerging cancers in the first responders to the 9/11 attack (studies show these firefighters have anywhere from a 19% - 32% increased cancer risk, depending on which study you read). 

 

In that dust are many things - jet fuel, cement, mercury, lead, hydrocarbons, biphenyls, dioxins, asbestos, crushed fluorescent light bulbs.  The fine gray powder is also thought to be responsible for GI problems, asthma, and various cancers.  The leader of the FealGood Foundation, an advocacy group seeking medical coverage and compensation for 9/11 related cancers, says he's been to fifty-four friend's funerals in this past decade, fifty-two due to cancer. 

 

The Zadroga 9/11 Health & compensation Act signed into law by President Obama in January provides financial assistance to rescue workers to help cover healthcare costs, but it does not cover cancer; the federal analysis decided there was not enough evidence showing 9/11 increased cancer risk. 

[Jeanette Cheezum]

I'll never see the footage or hear people talk about 911 without feeling sad and furious at the same time. It's always the innocent that have to suffer.

[Teresa]

@Grey ~ I know.  I just couldn't type it.  Awful to think about.  Thank you for the comments all.  Let's hope this 9/11 goes smoothly, no more insult to injury.

[Angela]

The fine grey powder is also full of people.

[Mike Handley]

Doesn't everything depend on which study one reads? If it's true, I hope benefits will be administered retroactively. But then the flag-wavers in Congress aren't apt to do what's right.

[Stephen Torelli]

Getting the word out is most important and you are doing that. Thanks.

[Gita]

 Well, here are two bits I found just now. When the Zadroga bill was before the Senate, Republicans were "concerned the bill would create a new entitlement program. The Democrats say they can fund it without raising taxes by closing a loophole on international companies that locate in offshore tax havens to avoid paying taxes. Republicans, however, say that amounts to a new tax on companies that operate here and employ American workers."

Here's another bit: The cancer aspect is due to be reviewed in 2012. I am guessing that all the high incidence of  cancers in rescue workers will be introduced as evidence. Then ignored.

[Gita]

I'd like to do some research into the Zadroga  Act and see how each member of Congress voted when it was a bill. I believe I will make that my project and when I have the roll calls. I'll post them.

[Bill Floyd]

And certain members of Congress tried to block even that much, to make a point about federal spending.  Our values are fucked.

[Deborah Jovan Reed]

Bill - you should make that a 6S.