Congress must make New York's 9/11 Notice Act federal law. Lives are at stake.

In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, countless families were shattered, lives forever altered by the loss of loved ones who perished that fateful day.

However, 9/11 didn’t end on 9/11 — not only for those whose loved ones perished in the attacks but also for those who returned to Lower Manhattan in the weeks and months that followed, when toxic air enveloped Lower Manhattan and northwestern Brooklyn.

Twenty-two years later, the 9/11 community continues to bear the scars of their tragic losses and the human toll shows no end in sight.

Among them are those who put their lives on the line to respond to the attacks, including the bravest members of the New York City Fire Department. The sad truth is the passage of time has not brought relief, for on the day of the terrorist attack, 343 firefighters did not make it home. Tragically, those who survived are now falling victim to the long-term effects of toxic exposure. As a result, the FDNY is poised to surpass a grim milestone — more members lost to post 9/11-related illnesses than the day the towers fell.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, the custodian of the WTC Health Program, the overall toll is staggering. By June 30, 2023, the number of lives claimed by 9/11-related illnesses had soared to 6,314 — more than double the lives lost in the initial collapse of the towers.

9/11 dust, toxins linger for many — impacting their health 22 years later

Many of these people suffer in silence, unable to connect the dots between their illness and the 9/11 toxins that have now been linked to 69 cancers including skin cancers, prostate cancers, breast cancer, colon cancer, blood cancers and, as of this year, uterine cancer.

Many others don’t realize that the federal protections that were created under the NYPD Detective James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act were not only meant to help first responders but anyone who was in the exposure zone — including office workers, teachers, retail workers, utility workers, doormen, stock traders and so many more.

Everyday people that returned to life as usual near Ground Zero do not realize that the hazardous toxins entered their body because of 9/11.

Instead, they fail to recognize the source of their bad health as rising from the terrorist attack.

Why?

Because the latency period for most common 9/11 cancers is up to four years after 2001. This delay often makes people dismiss the probability of 9/11 playing a role, leading them to wrongfully conclude that the matter pertains to family history or something else.

The presumption of being exposed to 9/11 toxins is enough to qualify for free healthcare and compensation under the Zadroga Act.

The 9/11 smoke and dust were in our hair and on our skin. It covered everyone from cops to civilian crossing guards to transit workers and taxi drivers. It blanketed everything from bicycles to buses to boats and anything with brake lights including underground trains as the WTC underground fires burned 100 days, pumping toxic pollution into the subway system.

"Access what you are entitled to!"

As Jon Stewart passionately stated, these words resonate powerfully with the recent unanimous passage of the 9/11 Notice Act by the New York State Legislature. This significant legislative milestone marks a historic step towards identifying the often-overlooked victims of the 9/11 attacks and raising awareness about their rights.

Beyond being a mere bill, the 9/11 Notice Act stands as a poignant symbol of acknowledgment and reverence for those who endured their suffering in silence during the aftermath of the tragedy. Just as Jon Stewart's call urges individuals to claim their rightful entitlements, this legislative action seeks to ensure that those affected by 9/11 are informed and empowered, reinforcing the principle of justice and support for all those who have endured.

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This act underscores the harrowing truth that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency misled the 9/11 community by saying “the air (was) safe to breathe.” As a result, hundreds of thousands were exposed to toxic air, yet only 39,540 survivors have registered for the World Trade Center Health Program and the Victim Compensation Fund to cover the cost of medical treatments and health screenings associated with their 9/11-related health conditions, as well as receive compensation for lost wages and, in the worst case scenario, wrongful death.

Mental health, too, is a battleground where 21,270 individuals wage an internal war sparked by the attack.

Common people innocently living post-9/11, exposed to EPA deception, now share benefits with cops and firefighters.

Prioritize health and family protection without guilt.

What is the 9/11 notice act?

The 9/11 Notice Act comes as a beacon of hope, ensuring that forgotten victims receive the acknowledgement they deserve. These individuals, who walked through the dust and debris of that tragic day, are entitled to the same care that NYC firefighters and police officers receive.

The Act, expected to be signed into law soon by Gov. Kathy Hochul, simply mandates that ex-employers notify their former employees of their eligibility for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and the World Trade Center Health Program. This will undoubtedly help tens of thousands of people from Nassau and Suffolk counties who made their living working in and around Lower Manhattan.

It's an act of compassion that touches the lives of those whose voices have been hushed by suffering and stifled by a lack of understanding and awareness of their rights. Those who unwittingly became victims should not bear this burden alone. It's a common-sense imperative to bring them into the fold of care, to notify them and remind them that they too are entitled to the health benefits they desperately need.

It's time for the "Go Find Me" movement to finally begin.

New York’s 9/11 Notice Act is a clarion call to reach out to these forgotten victims and ensure that those sick or suffering in the shadows are brought into the light of care and compassion. Congress should elevate it to federal law.

Let us remember, let us act, and let us heal the wounds that linger 22 years later.

Michael Barasch is managing partner at Barasch & McGarry who represents over 30,000 members of the 9/11 community as well as the late NYPD Detective James Zadroga for whom the 9/11 congressional act providing healthcare and victim compensation is named.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: September 11 survivors silently suffer. 9/11 Notice Act honors them