DEP memo on WTC Health Registry, Sep 2003

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

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WORLD TRADE CENTER REGISTRY PROJECT

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDOHMH), in collaboration with the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), has requested the Department of Environmental Protection’s assistance in an important public health initiative - the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Registry. The WTC Health Registry is designed to collect health information about the people most heavily exposed to smoke, dust, and debris from the collapse of the World Trade Center. It will help identify patterns of illness and recovery that might not be uncovered by individual doctors. Participants in the WTC Health Registry will be kept informed of important medical or public health information that may directly benefit their health.

The Department of Environmental Protection has been asked to cooperate with this project by providing employee contact information to RTI International, the company contracted to develop the Registry, so that our employees who may be eligible for the Registry will have the opportunity to participate. With your permission, we will provide your name, address, and telephone number to RTI for follow-up.

WTC Health Registry staff will contact each person on the list to explain the Registry. If the person wishes to participate, an interview will be conducted over the telephone and all information will be held in strict confidentiality under federal law. Every person has the right to refuse to participate in the WTC Health Registry at any time.

We feel our organization’s participation in this public health initiative is important and provides a potential benefit to our employees and their long term physical and mental health. If you would like additional information regarding the WTC Health Registry please visit NYCDOHMH’s website at http://www.ci.nvc.nv.us/html/doli/html/wtc/index.html .

Please indicate below whether you agree to have your contact information released to RTI International. All information will be held in strict confidence under federal law.

Yes, the Department of Environmental Protection may release my contact information for the World Trade Center Health Registry

No, do not release my contact information to the World Trade Center Health Registry project

Name of employee

Signature of employee

Please return this notice to Mr. Herb Roth, Deputy Director of HRM by September 30,2003.

Thank you for your cooperation.

NYC-WTC_000152079