NEW YORK (voa) – A wave of illnesses reported among New Yorkers living or working near the ruins of the World Trade Center attacks is raising new doubts about possible toxic exposure.
Nearly four months after two hijacked planes slammed into the twin towers, the fires burning at the site – now known as “Ground Zero” – have been largely extinguished. But The Washington Post reports many city residents are experiencing nosebleeds, sore throats, bronchial infections and chronic coughing.
About one-fourth of the city’s firefighters have complained of similar symptoms, as have scores of students at a nearby public school. The report says more than one thousand firefighters working at the site have filed claims, saying the city did not warn residents soon enough about potential health risks.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which has conducted thousands of tests of lower Manhattan’s air quality since September 11, has repeatedly assured residents the air is safe to breathe.
But according to the Post article, the EPA is now advising some landlords to seek professional asbestos cleaning of the buildings they own. They also have advised all workers on the site to wear respirators.
