Lawmakers Say Ground Zero Workers Unsafe

Excavation equipment continue to work through the night under floodlights, uncovering hot spots at the still smoldering World Trade Center, in a Oct. 10, 2001 file photo in New York. Nearly 70 percent of recovery workers who responded to the attacks on the World Trade Center suffered lung problems during or after their work at ground zero, a new health study released Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2006 shows. (AP Photo/ Stuart Ramson) (Stuart Ramson - AP)

The hearing began with testimony from Joseph Zadroga, the father of James Zadroga, who died in January of respiratory disease attributed to ground zero exposure.

Joseph Zadroga briefly lost his composure as he described the day he found his NYPD officer son dead on his bedroom floor. The father blasted the city for doing nothing while his son was sick.

"He never received any assistance from the city," Zadroga said. "He was treated like a dog."

A health expert told the lawmakers that new patients are still arriving at her New York hospital to be treated for 9/11-related illnesses _ and thousands will likely need lifelong care.

"There is no question that, as a result of their horrific exposures, thousands of World Trade Center responders have developed chronic and disabling illnesses that will likely be permanent," said Dr. Robin Herbert, co-director of the Mount Sinai Medical Center program monitoring afflicted workers.

Mount Sinai released a study this week showing nearly 7 out of every 10 ground zero responders suffered lung problems.

The Bush administration said it will continue to help sick Sept. 11 workers but would not say what their long-term health needs might cost.

Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt told New York lawmakers Thursday that $75 million would be delivered in the next two months to pay for treatment programs.

Reps. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., and Vito Fossella, R-N.Y., said $75 million is a good start but won't come close to providing all the treatment needed for those suffering from lung problems, gastrointestinal disease and mental health woes.

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Associated Press Writer Sara Kugler contributed to this report.