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Air Today . . . Gone Tomorrow Article Local WTC Workers Having
Health Problems
January 24, 2002
Many of the workers who
rushed to aid the victims of the World Trade Center disaster are being warned to stay in
close contact with their doctors. WLWT Eyewitness News 5's Evelyn Robertson reported that
some of those volunteers who are suffering ailments are from the Tri-State area. Robertson
spoke with Frank Bardanaro, Jr., a crane operator from Newport, Ky., who assisted at the
disaster site.
Bardanaro said that ash and dust rained down on the site for days,
making breathing very difficult. "After the dust started getting to some of the
people, they did start using like a painters mask that they were trying to keep the dust
out of their throats," Bardanaro said. But even with the masks, Bardanaro experienced
a sore throat and a rash on exposed skin, Robertson reported.
Health experts are taking a close look at the asbestos, metals and the
carcinogens that were in the air those first few days, and wondering if it's the reason
for what has become known as the "World Trade Center cough."
Robertson also spoke with Steve Ashbrock, who headed up a group of
volunteers with the Hamilton County Urban Search and Rescue Team. Ashbrook told Robertson
that six of the team's members came back with the same respiratory problems. "Several
received treatment, one was in the hospital, and all have returned back to work,"
Ashbrock said. Robertson reported that the symptoms have also gone away for Bardanaro, but
not the concern that further problems could arise in the future. Despite the uncertainty,
Bardanaro said that he wouldn't hesitate to help in a disaster again.
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