Ground Zero Work May be Health Risk

New York, NY —

The government's point man on September 11th health programs says there may be others who are suffering life-threatening illnesses as a result of their work at Ground Zero after the terrorist attack. Dr. John Howard says an autopsy linking a retired detective's recent death to his many hours at the site may be a warning sign.

But Howard also says it will take time to determine whether there's a link between deaths and exposure to toxic dust at ground zero. Some epidemiologists have said it will take 20 years or more to prove such a link. Howard is set to meet in New York this week with congressional leaders about ground zero health issues.