New York Times article on rescuer health ailments, Oct 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

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work until May. never went to a doctor be­ fore this," said Mount, angry that he can’t exert himself with­ out getting winded. “Now I know more about doctors than 1 ever did. I’d Just as soon never had met any of them.” Mount said he often blames himself for his ills, saying he and his co-workers should have been more assertive about get- tingprotective gear. *^e FBI and government big shots were well taken care ot They got those environmental hazara suits* masks, gloves, the works. We were too stupid to ask for it. Our bosses told us we were lucky to have a job.” But Mount and other recovery workers, like crane operator Steve Nolan, are grateful for the help they are now receivii^. Leaving the Fifth Ave. Mount Sinai clinic last week after a four-hour screening that includ­ ed a chest X-ray, blood work and meeting with a psychologist, eaRETBswiiiiMirNEws Nolan and his wife said it was COVERED IN DUST FlreflghtBre take a breathw Sept 11,2001, their unlfonns caked with debris from the World Tfade Centec ^pt^'^T^r^^^ vS on a key breathing test. Sea Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), gatioa President Bush vetoed a Drastic decHm “That’s what we wore until the “I’m relieved,” he said with a who led the fight for the health- bill in August that included the Kevin Mount is a good exam- ®tid of October when they fitted smile. “For now.” tracking funding, and Rep. Caro- $90 million for health tracking, pig. us for a proper mask,” said — —— — lyn Maloney (D-Manhattan) ate Clinton said she is determined The 49-year-old sanitation Mount “By file time we got pushing for $90 million to contfai- to get the money when Congress worker was an active father of them, we were all coughit^.” GETTING HEU* ue monitoring workers for the reconvenes on Jaa 7. two and bicycling enthusiast By mid-November, Mount next two decades. About $25 mil- “We are just not going to give Now, twiceklaily pu& on ste- said the cough was persistent Two separate federally lion would be earmarked for fire- up until we get money for the roid inhalalors teip him but he chalked up his symptoms balded studies are being fighters and paramedics. Ground Zero workers and vohin- breathe. to the fla His job was important contfugted: “We cannot fool ourselves that teers,” ste said. “They per- On the night of Sept 12,2001, for bis city and his country, he lb find out If you are ellgajle evaluating people now is formed far beyond their respon- Mount was dispatched to told himself, and he kept work- for Mount Sinai's WuM Trade enough. Wb have learned from sibiliUes; we must at least live Ground Zero to drive dump ing. Center Worker and Ttotunteer the asbestos industry that we up to ours.” trucks filled with steel and Three months later; in Febru- Medical Screenir® Program, must follow people for 20 Asked about the Mount Sinai human debris away from the ary.hewasrushedtoaNewJer- call (888) 702-0630. years,” said Dr. David Prezant, findings, Ointon said, “I’m not site. After two weeks of working sey emergency room with a high If you are a member of the the PONY’S deputy medical di- surprised that the clinical exams 14-hour days, with nothing fever and unable to breathe. He New York City Rre Depart­ rector and pulmonologist “Wb are proving vdiat we have all more than a paper mask he stayed in the hospital for four ment, an appointment has have a moral and medical re- seen and beard fimn people for .moc^ingy refers to as a “party da^whoretewasputonantitd- been sdieduled for you at the sponsibility to monitor fire months now. It is a fact hat” he was sent back to the otics and steroids. Bureau of Health Services, 9 health of these people. Th^ de- “Let’s just face it People’s Frrah Kilis landfill on Staten Is- Levin later diagnosed him MetroTech Center In Brooldyn. If you have not rectived an serve nothing less for the public health were adversely affected land to dump debris from 7 with an infhunmatlon in his aiNMlntnient or if you have service they have done.” depending on the length and Worid Trade Center for law en- lungs from the Trade Center retired from die FDNY sbwe Despite Intense lobbying from amount of their exposure to fbrcement agents to sift dust Mount who also has lost Sept 11,2001, call (718) New York’s congressional dele- what was in the air.” tbrough. beating in one eat was out of -999-1947, 8em isoo WorM Trade Center nd Fresh Mils worben and wtorteers haw been ajonnlned as part of Tim Honst Shad aareeiAw program. Prellinhany fhnOags tectade:

50%<fferiS:;;» UPPER RESPIRATORY^ =50% suffering froii^^

I • LOWER RESPIRATORY 1 POSTTRAUimiC STRESSJ PROBLEMS PROBLEMS » DISORDER * KFUIxWmW What it is: Ear, nose and throat What His: Heartbum, resultlr^from I Inflammation. excess stomach Symptoms: add backing up ffersistertt Into the esophfr throat Irritation, ; gus and throat nasal, sinus or head > cor^^tlbn, postnas^ drip or nasal Irrttatlon. Wf, SQCXMWWKl smote, wBhlcte exhaust and cteaitfi« solutlors. Treatment Inhaled stomlda to reduce Inflam- i tfstubanoe, often with nlgtenares; ! ’ n^diababanees such as depression : Symptoms: ' Heartbum, Indl- . gestton, regur^ tatlon at least onoe a week or more. ’ Sour or tnindng sensation tn The I Treatment Saline spray; oral or - back of the throat. spray (tecongestants; steroid nasal -itffltion; inhaled medications to open the air- ' wteetirs numb. sprays; antiOiotlcs whan Infection to ways (bronchodilators): oral antHnftammatory . ; Tteatmerrt Counseling; fix more I: 'neabnent Medicine to Wribit add pro- , ' ductton; diet and Bfestyle modification. premnt sutBory In savers oases. medtoations:co:Shsupi»BS8ant«n»it; antlblottes when bitectlon Is present ' r severe cases, psychiatry end/or 'medication. p rroatments atoutt to guUeg if a phjfsHHan after e thoreu^ eBnlcal eoluaaort Source: Mount Sinai Centetf «v Ooo^ationai and MonmertBl Medieine; Mount Sinai World "Bade CenterWort®r & Mohmaer Medical Screening I

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