NY Reps. Ask for Autopsy Guidelines to Better Track 9/11-Related Deaths

Press Release

U.S. Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Jerrold Nadler, and Peter King, authors of H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, wrote to federal 9/11 Health Coordinator Dr. John Howard this week and urged him to develop autopsy guidelines that would help doctors better understand the effects of 9/11-related illnesses and track deaths that may have been caused by exposures to toxins released by the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. The federal government began work to develop such guidelines several years ago, but the guidelines were never completed. A full copy of the lawmakers' letter to Dr. Howard can be found below.

"More than 900 people who served at Ground Zero have reportedly passed away, but we don't know exactly how many of these heroes may have died as a result of 9/11 toxic exposures. Establishing autopsy guidelines would allow us to better know the effects of Ground Zero toxins -- and provide more effective treatment for those who are sick. Dr. Howard has been a steadfast advocate for 9/11 responders and survivors, and we hope he will begin work to establish these guidelines as soon as possible," said Rep. Maloney.

"Updating autopsy guidelines is a simple step for NIOSH to take to improve its data on the deadly effects of World Trade Center-related illnesses and conditions," said Rep. Nadler. "Generating more accurate data would go a great distance toward enhancing the treatment and understanding of those living with post-9/11 conditions."

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