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Apr 5, 2007 5:24 pm US/Eastern
Dr. Discusses Ground Zero Health Effects
by Mary Stoker Smith
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
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September 11, 2001 - Ground Zero
Thousands of men and women from the Delaware Valley participated in the recovery and clean up efforts at Ground Zero following the 9/11 attacks. A seminar was held Thursday for concerned first responders to learn more about the health effects of the toxic substances they may have been exposed to.
Dr. Stephen Levin of New York's Mount Sinai Hospital held seminar in Northeast Philadelphia and said being at or near Ground Zero for just one hour could pose potentially serious health risks.
"We encourage anybody who was down there and met those criteria to be part of the group that gets followed whether you have symptoms or not. Because we are worried that some people will develop some of these serious illnesses 10, 12 years down the road," Dr. Levin said.
South Jersey resident Matt Quigley attended the seminar. Quigley volunteered his time to the Ground Zero cleanup efforts for nearly three months. In 2006 he developed a persistent cough and sought medical attention.
"My chest feels like it is always heavy. I went up to Mount Sinai and they did a full physical and said I have the lungs of a 70-year-old," Quigley said.
Dr. Levin encourages all 9/11 volunteers to contact Mount Sinai Hospital.
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