To the Editor of The New York Times

The Second Wave of Victims of 9/11

As the attorney for more than 1,800 World Trade Center rescue workers, including 34 year old Detective Jimmy Zadroga who died in January, I am frustrated by the government agencies that refuse to acknowledge that the toxic dust inhalled at ground zero was just as deadly as the buildings that fell. The Medical Examiner who performed the autopsy of Mr. Zadroga concluded, "with a reasonable degree of medical certainty", that his lung damage was sustained by inhallation of toxic WTC dust. Dr. David Prezant of the FDNY's Bureu of Medical Services has analogized the Ph of the concrete dust to "breathing liquid Drano". Dr. Kerry Kelly, chief medical officer of the FDNY has reported a "substantial increase" in sarcoidosis among young, previously healthy firefighters.

Meanwhile, scores of first responders including firefighters, police officers, construction workers and clean-up crews are fighting for their lives, and hundreds of others are being denied well-deserved worker compensation benefits, medical coverage and disability pensions. These men and women, many whom are suffering from terrible cancers, don't have 20 years to wait for definitive proof that their shortened life expectancies are a result of their heroic efforts while they toiled without adequate respiratory protection.

It is time for our government agencies to give these workers the respect and financial help that the other 2,749 victims of September 11th received. They deserve more than just our appreciation. They do not deserve to lose their health, their homes and their dignity while they go broke paying for medical bills.


Michael A. Barasch
Barasch McGarry Salzman & Penson
11 Park Place, Suite 1801
New York, NY 10007