WTC Responder Fatality Investigations

MYFOXNY.COM - The New York State Department of Health is the data collection center for information on deaths among WTC responders, recovery workers and volunteers, regardless of how or why the death occurred. This data collection system will be used to identify and track all fatalities that occur among WTC responders so that science-based investigations of root causes can begin to be explored.
Through June 2009, 758 people who worked at the WTC site and have subsequently died have been identified. For each death identified, death certificates, medical records, autopsy results, employment information and WTC exposure information is collected. Confirmed causes of death are identified from death certificates, autopsies and/or medical records. To date, the program has confirmed 614 causes of death; confirmation of status as a WTC responder or volunteer may be pending for some of these people.
Researchers are beginning to compare mortality rates for the responders to local and national rates. These comparisons will assist in determining whether WTC responders may be at increased risk for specific causes of death. Any conclusions about mortality rates are premature until these analyses are completed.