The health of World Trade Center rescue and recovery workers

Among the victims of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks are workers who responded to the scene of the disaster and suffered severe - in some cases, fatal - health problems as a result. Those who showed up at the World Trade Center site for rescue, recovery, and cleanup operations were exposed to a range of toxic and mechanical hazards, as well as psychological trauma. Many of the estimated 40,000 workers have since developed respiratory, mental health, and other medical conditions.

Celeste and I asked freelance journalist Jori Lewis (whose reporting you might have heard on PRI's The World) to create an in-depth case study for us about the occupational health and safety aspects of the WTC disaster: the multitude of hazards, the thousands of workers exposed, the response of regulatory authorities to address the hazards, how the risks were communicated (or not) and both the short- and long-term effects health consequences of exposure to those hazards.

If you're concerned about the health of responders and cleanup workers at this and other disaster sites, this case study is a terrific reference. We're sure it doesn't cover everything our readers think is important about the occupational health and safety aspects of the World Trade Center response and recovery, though - so after you read the case study, feel free to leave comments below about additional information or angles you think ought to be recognized.