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Gold9472
02-27-2006, 05:46 PM
Health coordinator named to oversee Sept. 11 health impacts

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--sept.11-healthcoo0227feb27,0,2913507.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork

By DONNA DE LA CRUZ
February 27, 2006, 3:58 PM EST

WASHINGTON -- The head of the federal agency responsible for preventing work-related injuries and illnesses was named Monday to oversee the response to Sept. 11 health impacts at ground zero.

John Howard, director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), will serve as the Sept. 11 health coordinator for the federal government, said New York Reps. Vito Fossella and Carolyn Maloney.

Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt made the appointment.

"It is essential that the federal government have one individual who is directly responsible and accountable for overseeing the massive response to those who are sick or injured from ground zero," said Fossella, a Republican from Staten Island.

Maloney, a Manhattan Democrat, said "the federal response to the health impacts of 9/11 has been missing in action."

The lawmakers said Howard's first priority must be to ensure that an exhaustive medical screening and monitoring program encompassing a large pool of responders and residents is working.

Howard also will oversee the distribution of federal funds for programs administered through NIOSH to enhance medical screenings and monitoring programs, and bring together medical and scientific experts to develop a plan to help those with Sept. 11-related illnesses.

The two lawmakers called for a Sept. 11 coordinator after three World Trade Center responders died in 2005 and in January. They said it is believed that tens of thousands of first responders, federal employees and lower Manhattan residents and workers continue to suffer from health problems likely caused by exposure to toxins at or near the trade center site.

Ground zero health advocates have long argued that the full scope of illnesses from toxic debris and dust will take years to fully develop, even though doctors caution it will be very difficult to prove the hazards caused specific deaths.

NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.