NYPD Union Links Retiree Death to 9/11 Cleanup
The Associated Press



A retired, 34-year-old New York City police detective who spent hundreds of hours searching for Sept. 11 victims at ground zero has died of a respiratory disease related to the cleanup, union officials said.

James Zadroga is believed to be the first emergency responder to die as a result of exposure to World Trade Center dust and debris, said Michael Palladino, president of the Detectives' Endowment Association.

"Unfortunately, I do not think he is going to be the last," Palladino said Saturday.

Zadroga died Thursday at his home in Little Egg Harbor, N.J., officials said. Results of an autopsy were pending.

Zadroga had developed black lung disease and mercury on the brain as a result of working at ground zero, Palladino said. Palladino said Zadroga had worked up to 16 hours a day in rescue and recovery efforts the first month after the Sept. 11, 2001, collapse of the trade center towers.

He developed shortness of breath and other respiratory problems in the months after the attacks, and retired on disability in 2004.

A majority of residents and ground zero workers tracked by several different registries monitoring the participants' health have reported worsening respiratory problems in the years since the attacks.

Zadroga, a 13-year veteran of the force, had a 4-year-old daughter. His wife died of cancer in late 2004, Palladino said.

damn, wont be the last.

That poor little girl

Quoted: NYPD Union Links Retiree Death to 9/11 Cleanup The Associated Press A retired, 34-year-old New York City police detective who spent hundreds of hours searching for Sept. 11 victims at ground zero has died of a respiratory disease related to the cleanup, union officials said. James Zadroga is believed to be the first emergency responder to die as a result of exposure to World Trade Center dust and debris, said Michael Palladino, president of the Detectives' Endowment Association. "Unfortunately, I do not think he is going to be the last," Palladino said Saturday. Zadroga died Thursday at his home in Little Egg Harbor, N.J., officials said. Results of an autopsy were pending. Zadroga had developed black lung disease and mercury on the brain as a result of working at ground zero, Palladino said. Palladino said Zadroga had worked up to 16 hours a day in rescue and recovery efforts the first month after the Sept. 11, 2001, collapse of the trade center towers. He developed shortness of breath and other respiratory problems in the months after the attacks, and retired on disability in 2004. A majority of residents and ground zero workers tracked by several different registries monitoring the participants' health have reported worsening respiratory problems in the years since the attacks. Zadroga, a 13-year veteran of the force, had a 4-year-old daughter. His wife died of cancer in late 2004, Palladino said.

Nope...Not the first by any stretch of the imagination.

To date, two members of the FDNY EMS Command have already passed away due to exposure to the toxic smoke they operated in at Ground Zero in the days and weeks on and after 9|11.

EMT Timothy Keller passed away at the age of 41 on June 23, 2005, destitute and broken by a system that denied his respiratory illnesses were related to 9|11.

EMT Felix Hernandez passed away at the age of 31 on October 23, 2005 of lung disease brought on by his exposure to toxic and asbestos laden smoke at the WTC site. He, too, was denied any benefits.

Both EMTs were non-smokers.

Sadly, the City of New York is doing everything within its power to deny that any respiratory related illness is directly attributable to 9/11. They would rather fight the claim, resulting in a long and costly battle for the MOS, who is often times off payroll because he can no longer work, and hope the issue resolves itself over time (i.e. The MOS finally dies)..Sadly, the City won in the case of Tim Keller and Felix Hernandez, who's families still fight to this day for the benefits they deserve.....Fuck Guliani and Fuck Bloomberg....They are a disgrace to the human race....

May James, Tim, Felix, and the inevitable onslaught of Emergency Services professionals who will succumb to illnesses aas a result of that fatelful day rest in peace knowing they did their job with honor and courage.....

The question is what can we do about it?  Can we get the O'Reilly Factor to cover the story?  You, know, put a little pressure on the city.

-Jason M

Quoted: The question is what can we do about it?  Can we get the O'Reilly Factor to cover the story?  You, know, put a little pressure on the city. -Jason M

I wondered how long it would be before this was the 'cities' fault.

Quoted: The question is what can we do about it?

Pass state legislation that presumes those injuries are work related absent strong evidence otherwise.  We have done that for certain ailments in my state for firefighters and cops.


A young guy from the local jail died of lung cancer recently. He was a life long nonsmoker.  Turns out as punishment for some real or imagined insubordination his Sgt assigned him to provide "security" to hazmat workers removing asbestos from plumbing tunnels in the jail.  For a year he sat in a cramped tunnel with workers wearing full hazmat suits and respirators as they removed Asbestos.  He was given one of those dust mask you put on with a rubber band and his wool uniform.  A couple years later he had lung cancer and died. His wife is still trying to get workers comp to cover his medical expenses.  The Sgt is still a prick too from what I hear from those who have worked for him.

A lot of the firefighters have respiratory issues due to a mixture of the bird shit and concrete dust.

Quoted: Quoted: NYPD Union Links Retiree Death to 9/11 Cleanup The Associated Press A retired, 34-year-old New York City police detective who spent hundreds of hours searching for Sept. 11 victims at ground zero has died of a respiratory disease related to the cleanup, union officials said. James Zadroga is believed to be the first emergency responder to die as a result of exposure to World Trade Center dust and debris, said Michael Palladino, president of the Detectives' Endowment Association. "Unfortunately, I do not think he is going to be the last," Palladino said Saturday. Zadroga died Thursday at his home in Little Egg Harbor, N.J., officials said. Results of an autopsy were pending. Zadroga had developed black lung disease and mercury on the brain as a result of working at ground zero, Palladino said. Palladino said Zadroga had worked up to 16 hours a day in rescue and recovery efforts the first month after the Sept. 11, 2001, collapse of the trade center towers. He developed shortness of breath and other respiratory problems in the months after the attacks, and retired on disability in 2004. A majority of residents and ground zero workers tracked by several different registries monitoring the participants' health have reported worsening respiratory problems in the years since the attacks. Zadroga, a 13-year veteran of the force, had a 4-year-old daughter. His wife died of cancer in late 2004, Palladino said. Nope...Not the first by any stretch of the imagination. To date, two members of the FDNY EMS Command have already passed away due to exposure to the toxic smoke they operated in at Ground Zero in the days and weeks on and after 9|11. EMT Timothy Keller passed away at the age of 41 on June 23, 2005, destitute and broken by a system that denied his respiratory illnesses were related to 9|11. EMT Felix Hernandez passed away at the age of 31 on October 23, 2005 of lung disease brought on by his exposure to toxic and asbestos laden smoke at the WTC site. He, too, was denied any benefits. Both EMTs were non-smokers. Sadly, the City of New York is doing everything within its power to deny that any respiratory related illness is directly attributable to 9/11. They would rather fight the claim, resulting in a long and costly battle for the MOS, who is often times off payroll because he can no longer work, and hope the issue resolves itself over time (i.e. The MOS finally dies)..Sadly, the City won in the case of Tim Keller and Felix Hernandez, who's families still fight to this day for the benefits they deserve.....Fuck Guliani and Fuck Bloomberg....They are a disgrace to the human race.... May James, Tim, Felix, and the inevitable onslaught of Emergency Services professionals who will succumb to illnesses aas a result of that fatelful day rest in peace knowing they did their job with honor and courage.....

Amen brother, Amen

Quoted: Quoted: NYPD Union Links Retiree Death to 9/11 Cleanup The Associated Press Nope...Not the first by any stretch of the imagination. To date, two members of the FDNY EMS Command have already passed away due to exposure to the toxic smoke they operated in at Ground Zero in the days and weeks on and after 9|11. EMT Timothy Keller passed away at the age of 41 on June 23, 2005, destitute and broken by a system that denied his respiratory illnesses were related to 9|11. EMT Felix Hernandez passed away at the age of 31 on October 23, 2005 of lung disease brought on by his exposure to toxic and asbestos laden smoke at the WTC site. He, too, was denied any benefits. Both EMTs were non-smokers. Sadly, the City of New York is doing everything within its power to deny that any respiratory related illness is directly attributable to 9/11. They would rather fight the claim, resulting in a long and costly battle for the MOS, who is often times off payroll because he can no longer work, and hope the issue resolves itself over time (i.e. The MOS finally dies)..Sadly, the City won in the case of Tim Keller and Felix Hernandez, who's families still fight to this day for the benefits they deserve.....Fuck Guliani and Fuck Bloomberg....They are a disgrace to the human race.... May James, Tim, Felix, and the inevitable onslaught of Emergency Services professionals who will succumb to illnesses aas a result of that fatelful day rest in peace knowing they did their job with honor and courage.....

Yet these same fuckers fought to get the widows and widowers most noticeable the very wealthy ones, millions of dollars after their spouses died in the attacks...and won't have the common decency to  help out the rescuers.

Hate these bastards. (Yes, that is a comment and a command)

Yep.. hundreds of tonnes of asbestos going all through NY....  

/salute

Quoted: Quoted: The question is what can we do about it?  Can we get the O'Reilly Factor to cover the story?  You, know, put a little pressure on the city. -Jason M I wondered how long it would be before this was the 'cities' fault. hinking.gif

I don't think that it's the city's fault.  I think that something should be done for that kid in gratitude.  If the city won't pay for it mabey someone with some pull could start a fund for private donations.  

-Jason M

Quoted: That poor little girl

Quoted: Quoted: That poor little girl

I wonder if there is going to be a way to help her out?

another gallant sole in our prayers

I PERSONALLY saw the affects of asbestos take a HEALTHY 38 year old man and made him look like an 80 year old man in a matter of 9 months and in the end it took his life. It is fucking torture not to mention tearing apart the wife and 4 kids he left behind.