M.E.: Detective Died Due to Air At Ground Zero; First Medical Ruling On a Responder's Toxic Exposure

M.E.: Detective Died Due to Air At Ground Zero;
First Medical Ruling On a Responder's Toxic Exposure

Autopsy results released April 11 by the Detectives' Endowment Association have for the first-time linked the death of a 9/11 first-responder to time spent at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks.

The Chief-Leader/Ginger Adams Otis A MATTER OF FAIRNESS: Detectives' Endowment Association President Michael J. Palladino says the case of Det. James Zadroga, who a New Jersey Medical Examiner concluded died of respiratory ailments related to his work at Ground Zero, is a strong argument for granting line-of-duty death status to him and others who suffer a similar fate. Looking on is Detective Zadroga's father, Joseph, holding his 4-year-old daughter, Tylerann. Michael Palladino, president of the DEA, said he would use the results to secure the reclassification of the death of retired Det. James Zadroga as line-of-duty, and to alter existing legislation so that any first-responders who succumb to 9/11-related health problems after retiring get the same treatment.

Sees 'Uphill Battle'

He said he expected it would be an "uphill battle" with the city and state because of the financial implications.

Kenneth A. Becker, head of the Law Department's World Trade Center Unit, said in a written statement that the city had great sympathy for anyone who suffered following heroic service in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

"Everyone should be aware that the city worked hard to secure free medical monitoring for all WTC workers, both uniformed and civilian, and we encourage people to take advantage of these services," he said.

"The city did everything reasonably possible under the extraordinary circumstances following the attacks to protect the health and safety of the brave firefighters, police officers and others who took part in the rescue and recovery. It should be noted that there is no scientific evidence showing an increase in cancer rates among uniformed services personnel or other persons who worked at the World Trade Center or that links cancer to work done at the site," he added.

Schumer, Clinton Help

Several city and state elected leaders have already indicated they will support attempts to modify the pension legislation to include a line-of-duty death benefit for first-responders, said Mr. Palladino.

Among them were U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer, who said there was "no question" Detective Zadroga deserved that classification, and Hillary Clinton.

Assemblyman Jim Tedisco, from Schenectady, proposed a Ground Zero Heroes Law last week that would change pension rules, and U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who along with U.S. Rep. Vito Fossella was instrumental in getting the Bush Administration to appoint a 9/11 Health Czar, said she was working to secure Federal assistance to help the city and state bear the cost of ailing first-responders.

Detective Zadroga was awarded a tax-free, three-quarter disability pension in November 2004, but the amount, Mr. Palladino noted, was based on the salary earned during a period when Mr. Zadroga was too sick to work overtime.

The Zadroga family - his daughter Tylerann, and his parents Joseph and Linda - will receive the disability pension payments for eight years. Mr. Palladino said he hoped to prevail upon the city to posthumously award Detective Zadroga line-of- duty status so his daughter could claim 100 percent of his final annual earnings, tax-free, until age 19, or 23 should she enroll as a full-time college student.

"In my opinion, Det. Zadroga is the 24th member of the NYPD to die as a result of the World Trade Center attack," said Mr. Palladino. "The difference being, the original 23 passed on Sept. 11."

ME: 'Direct Link to 9/11'

The coroner's report, issued by Dr. Gerard Breton of the Ocean County Medical Examiner's Office in New Jersey, stated "with a reasonable degree of medical certainty that the cause of death in this case was directly related to the 9/11 incident."

It listed the cause as "respiratory failure due to ... history of exposure to toxic fumes and dusts." A microscopic inspection of Detective Zadroga's lungs revealed "the presence of innumerable foreign body granulomas that are distributed throughout the lung tissue. ... The giant cells often contain unidentified foreign materials that are consistent with dust." Detective Zadroga, a decorated member of the Police Department who was in 7 World Trade Center when it collapsed, spent approximately 500 hours at Ground Zero for two months after 9/11, helping with rescue and recovery.

He began to experience serious health problems about a year later, and was eventually forced to retire with his disability pension.

His wife Ronda, who had a heart ailment, died shortly thereafter, leaving him in charge of their four-year-old daughter. As he became more incapacitated by respiratory illness and other medical problems, Mr. Zadroga moved back into his parents' house in N.J. He died Jan. 5, at age 34.

Problem Getting Worse

While Mr. Palladino hopes to be able to persuade the city to immediately reclassify Mr. Zadroga's death status, he's aware that a bigger crisis looms.

At the press conference announcing the results of the Zadroga autopsy, Mr. Palladino said there are approximately 400 NYPD Detectives currently suffering 9/11-related health repercussions, and many more who may develop health problems later in life.

DEA members were at particular risk, he charged, because in the days after the attacks the morgue, the Staten Island landfill and the Ground Zero footprint were declared crime scenes and NYPD Detectives were dispatched to sift the rubble for evidence.

Extend Right to All

He urged that the city give line-of-duty death status to all those who lose their lives because of ailments they contracted during that period.

Standing with him at the press conference were several NYPD Detectives currently on light duty or sick leave from illnesses believed to have been brought on from their exposure to Ground Zero toxins.

Joseph Zadroga, holding his granddaughter Tylerann, said his son told him he would not have done anything differently on 9/11, even when it became clear what the effort would ultimately cost.

"There's nothing that we can do for James at this time," said Mr. Zadroga. "But I really, really would hope that we get something for James's family, his little daughter here. Something for her and these other families out here because they need the help."