The Next Victims Of 9/11
TomPaine.com - Washington,D.C.,USA
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The fifth anniversary of 9/11 is behind us, but not the ongoing tragedy of the suffering of the Ground Zero workers and those who lived near the World Trade
http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2006/09/29/the_next_victims_of_911.php  Â
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The Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center presents a public information session.
Thursday, September 28
6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
St. John’s University, Saval Auditorium
101 Murray Street, between West Street and Greenwich Street
New York New York 10006
The Cheapening Of Ground Zero
San Francisco Chronicle - CA, USA
… the Sept. 11 attacks. Then too, I made a pilgrimage to ground zero, the site of the former World Trade Center towers.
http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=30773
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(Deutsche Bank Building) were handled “behind closed doors� and without input from local EPA representatives or the residents whose health issues are legitimate. Additionally, there was no consideration given to the continued discovery of human remains at
or at any of the other surrounding contaminated buildings adjacent to Ground Zero.Â
will be used as precedent for Fiterman Hall and all the other contaminated buildings. We reiterate our right to be part of the ongoing process which deals with the reclamation of human remains at and near the WTC site, and we once again request that an expert liaison, chosen by the families, be permitted to remain on site during this painful process. We expect something more from the City of New York than the deadly silence we have consistently received regarding the entire human remains issue at the WTC site.Â
And so, to the health concerns of workers and residents and to the concerns about the proper treatment of human remains, the response seems to be, perennially,  “no comment.â€? The EPA should remember what happened to the health of so many first responders, volunteers and downtown residents the last time expediency was put ahead of health concerns, and the last time a dollar amount was put ahead of human decency. We insist that the EPA reconsider its over-ride of local concerns and protect the population as it is mandated to do. We insist that our elected officials and those running for City and State public office intervene in this matter immediately. This is further evidence of the need for a Congressional Hearing into such issues as toxic air, public health and the retrieval of human remains in the areas surrounding the World Trade Center site. Â
Please read the article below and note that the proper removal of human remains is not one of the 3 issues concerning the EPA about the dismantling of the Deutche Bank Building
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“Bonnie Bellow, an E.P.A. spokeswoman, said yesterday that the approval rested on three issues: preventing contaminants from being released into the environment during the deconstruction, ensuring proper monitoring during the dismantling, and safely disposing of hazardous waste”.
Plan Approved to Dismantle Deutsche Bank Building
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/25/nyregion/25deutsche.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Some interesting articles in today’s papers.
First the Times editorial about alphabetical listing of the names.
Editorial: Names on the Memorial
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/23/opinion/23sat5.html?th&emc=th
Second: A Bloomberg article about the transit entrance
World Trade Center’s Culture Wing Delayed by Transit Entrance
Bloomberg - USA
… 22 (Bloomberg) — The World Trade Center site’s planned cultural center may be delayed two years or more to accommodate construction of a temporary transit …
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=ay4s0ld.jfjc&refer=home
Both of these show one thing, now that the building has begun the concerns of the families will be ignored as the reach for the almighty dollar takes over the project.
We must not allow this to happen.
Diane Horning did a great job expressing our concerns on NBC News tonight. AP also picked up my comments in their report.
We need to follow up and get these questions answered.
As George Bernard Shaw said;
“The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it”.
Dennis
Earlier today we received notification from the OCME that there was a possibility that new identifications might be forthcoming because of recent advances in technology. This was also covered in an AP story earlier today (see below).While we are extremely happy with this news there are a few questions that need to be asked.
First: When were these new tests begun and were they done on all of the unidentified remains from Ground Zero?
Second: Are the remains from the Deutche Bank Building being kept separate from the other remains?
Maybe it’s me but the timing of this announcement seems very odd as it seems to correspond with when the results of the tests from the Deutche Bank remains should be coming in.
Maybe I have become too cynical but I am hoping that the following scenario did not take place.
Remains found at 130 Liberty were determined to be identifiable. Knowing that these remains should have been uncovered years ago and identified they are now going to be included in newly identified remains based on new technology.
I hope I am wrong but answering the questions above would remove any doubt and also not give false hope to families.
So we ask the OCME to test the remains from the Deutche Bank Building separately. Let us know what percentage of the newly identified remains (if any) came from the Deutche Bank Building.
If all or a great percentage of the newly identified remains come from the Deutche Bank Building it would be because this was the first time they were tested not because of new technology.
Had the building been properly inspected years ago they would have been found and identified back then and the unfortunate families would not have to have waited until now to be notified.
I hope I am wrong but the questions need to be asked.
We have been misled too may times already.
Dennis
NYC officials say DNA advances may help identify Sept. 11 victims
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ny–attacks-remains0921sep21,0,6160617.story
Below is a letter from Dr. Charles Hirsch updating the identification efforts at the Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME).
Please direct any questions to the OCME’s WTC Unit at (212) 447-7884.
http://www.voicesofsept11.org/dev/PDF/WorldTradeCenterFamilies9-21-2006.pdf
To the Editor:
I am writing in response to the September 8th (Mayor Callous Re 9/11 - Marianne Pizzitola) and September 15th (Wrong Way for ‘2507′ - Donald Faeth) letters to the Editor.
Firstly, the reality is that NYC EMS WORKERS are chronically, acutely & terminally ill due to their exposure to the toxins (250,000 identified contaminants) inhaled at “Ground Zero” - the carcinogens (benzene, asbestos, mercury, lead, cadmium, PAH’s, PCB’s, etc.) are highly toxic; no one knows what chemical is created when these burn or individuals are exposed to them for extended periods of time; nor how it will effect the human body systems!
How are these toxins effecting the NYC EMS WORKERS?; suppressed immune systems, leukemia, CANCER - (lung, throat, etc.), impaired nervous systems, kidney disease, respiratory diseases, liver damage, rashes, cognitive impairment, heart diseases, etc. - these are the direct effects of toxic exposure at “GROUND ZERO”. As Mr. Faeth stated; “….the local had an obligation to the entire membership as a body and could not sacrifice the needs of 2,400 members for the needs of fewer than 24 members.â€?
My question; Why do we pay union dues and feel we have a sense of security knowing that our union will be looking out for our well being as dedicated employees?
What happened to the statement echoed by many of the hierarchical representatives; “We Will Never Forgetâ€?! Let us remember Timothy Keller, Felix Hernandez, Debbie Reeves, etc.; all members of service who died without benefits. These individuals died “IN THE LINE OF DUTY”, served their city and country in the worse tragedy on United States soil; their rights were disregarded and their families suffer on many levels because the disrespect and lack of accountability by the hierarchal structures! Do you feel these member of services families should be satisfied that the union is justified with the statement made by Mr. Faeth?
Secondly, no one wants to address what the aftermath of 9-11-01 has created within the family structure or what it has done to families financially! The alcohol & drug consumption by members of service have increased considerably which puts a strain on the family structure and it is not a healthy way to deal with the trauma that individuals experienced. Many individuals who reached out for assistance from the Red Cross received 30 visits - (one shot deal) and now are paying out of pocket for professional assistance. Some individuals chose not to be identified or seek assistance for a variety of reasons; loss of respect, fear of being labeled, concern about their future - i.e. pensions or how would this effect their family?
There have been members of service who have contemplated suicide or committed suicide; it is a sad commentary that these individuals did not receive a proper intervention.
What about the children of the members of service? Children are precious and our hope for the future; how can they look forward if their family is falling apart? Some children are suicidal, cutting themselves not to feel the pain, drinking or using drugs to manage their emotional and mental state. Seems far fetched what I am expressing; call the WTC family clinics, WTC Agencies or health care providers; it will paint a grimmer picture than I am discussing at this moment.
Thirdly, The most frightening aspect of the aftermath of 9-11-01 are the financial consequences! What has it cost those who are ill? Individuals are paying for their medication, doctor bills, health care, hospitalizations, etc.; whatever nest egg that was saved for the future is extinguished! The Worker’s Compensation system is antiquated and contributes to an individual being revictimized for the fact proper interventions or proper representation for individuals was not implemented.
I feel the statistics quoted by Mr. Faeth are not totally accurate because many individuals are suffering and have been left to fall through the cracks which inturn leaves statistical data inconclusive!
Finally, The Mt. Sinai Monitoring Program - Health for Heroes is a wonderful concept; questions that arise due to the “PLIGHT OF THE SURVIVORS” is:
What happened to the CISD protocol and follow up psychological services?
What happened to proper medical treatment once it was established the toxic exposure was causing health issues? (What happened to the Haz Mat protocol?)
What about a proper networking system to help individuals negotiate the paperwork and requests from agencies they were referred to?
What about proper representation for an individual at a board review or Worker’s Compensation hearing?
What resources are available at this time for those who are becoming ill or will become ill in the future?
The devastation of 9-11-01 will continue until there is a concrete plan to assist those who served and those who continue to serve are protected with proper representation of their rights!
BONNIE JEAN GIEBFRIED
NYC EMS
9-11 SURVIVOR