July 3rd, 2006

With doctors verifying that many of the workers that helped out at Ground Zero after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center nearly five years ago, more concerns have been highlighted with regards to the lack of safety standards that were implemented at the site following the downfall of the asbestos laden twin towers.

A number of people that worked at the site after the attacks have already died from a variety of asbestos related problems according to reports, and federal officials have come under fire for failing to implement proper safety procedures in relation to exposure to asbestos and other toxins in the air following the attacks.

Federal officials have denied that there was any major risk stemming from polluted air. Officials have acknowledged the various deaths and illnesses in some of those that worked at Ground Zero but stated that they reacted to events as quickly as possible and that more than ten thousand samples were taken to test the air.

A class action lawsuit has now been filed against the federal government relating to false reassurances about the air quality. One air pollution expert stated: "The EPA said there was no danger, but this was the perfect storm of environmental toxins, and now we're paying the price. It was wildly toxic, and the EPA knew that. Hopefully, this will lead to a renewed effort not to forget these people."