Health risks of 9/11 downplayed; Responders continue to suffer consequences of government agencies’ mistakes

In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, federal agencies corresponded about the health risks posed in the Ground Zero area, and together kept this information from the public. Agencies included the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Simple recommendations, such as to wear a respirator when in the area, were not shared with the public. This resulted in negative health complications for responders in the Ground Zero area; some of these individuals now face terminal health consequences as a result. More information on these documents and the surrounding story can be found here.

A related video from Democracy Now! with further commentary on the documents and personal accounts from some of the affected individuals can be found here.