9/11 workers to be autopsied when they die

9/11 workers to be autopsied when they die
Officials fear early deaths, want to find out impact of ground zero dust

WASHINGTON - Federal health officials have drawn up a plan for autopsies of Sept. 11 workers when they die, to determine whether they were slowly killed by their exposure to World Trade Center dust.

New York lawmakers said Wednesday they fear rising numbers of early deaths among ground zero workers. They called for hearings and a new, nearly $2 billion treatment program for sick workers and lower Manhattan residents.

The federal coordinator of Sept. 11 health issues, John Howard, found coroners around the country need specific instructions for conducting autopsies on those exposed to World Trade Center dust and debris.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., insisted Wednesday that at least seven people had died from the toxic exposure. The federal guidelines maintain that a direct link has yet to be proven, but say that autopsies and tissue collection could help make the case.

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