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Who Qualifies – WTC Environmental Health Center

You are eligible for treatment if any of these apply to you:

  • You lived, worked, or went to school or day care in the area of Manhattan that is south of Houston Street or in northwest areas of Brooklyn, between September 11, 2001 and July 31, 2002.
  • You were exposed to the dust cloud on 9/11 or to dust or smoke in the disaster area after 9/11.
  • You worked as a cleanup worker or performed maintenance work in the disaster area between September 11, 2001 and January 10, 2002.
Wall Street businessman

On 9/11, I was working on Wall Street and ran as fast as I could to get home. Afterward, I had trouble breathing, but I thought it was just anxiety. But now when I play with my kids I can’t keep up with them.
My symptoms: Coughing, shortness of breath, anxiety, and other symptoms.

Owner of local restaurant

On 9/11, we kept our restaurant open in Chinatown. I got a bad cough – and now I have headaches and sinus congestion that are not going away. But I don’t have insurance, so what can I do?
My symptoms: Sinus and other symptoms.

On 9/11, I took the train in and was at my desk in Tower II. I ran down 80 flights of stairs and got out. I still don’t feel well and I’m being treated for depression but I’m just not getting better.
My symptoms: Depression, nightmares, and other symptoms.

Clean-up worker

After 9/11, I worked downtown cleaning up the dust in offices. I still cough a lot and have stomach problems. But I’m an immigrant, so what can I do?
My symptoms: Coughing and other symptoms.

Brooklyn Resident

On 9/11, the dust cloud came across the water to Brooklyn and covered our neighborhood. People were coughing – and now it’s still hard for me to breathe.
My symptoms: Coughing, shortness of breath, depression, and other symptoms.

Child and family

On 9/11, I was so scared – I thought the world was going to end. Even my dad cried. We all got sick – I think from the dust in our apartment. And now I still get nightmares.
My symptoms: Coughing, wheezing, nightmares, and other symptoms.

Elderly resident

On 9/11, I was living downtown. Everything was covered with dust and we all had to clean up our own apartments. Most people had family members come and help them clean, but I’m all alone and I had to do it myself. I got so sick and I haven’t felt the same since.
My symptoms: Stomach problems, anxiety.

Student

After 9/11, I wasn’t really worried about pollution from the towers. But when we went back to class, my sinuses got congested – and now I wheeze and whistle when I breathe.
My symptoms: Wheezing, sinus congestion, and other symptoms.

Office worker

Soon after 9/11, I started working in an office downtown. I thought 9/11 was over but I’m afraid I got sick from the dust. Now my chest still gets tight and I have shortness of breath.
My symptoms: Shortness of breath and other symptoms.

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For eligibility and enrollment of people new to the program,
call toll free 1-888-WTC-HP4U (1-888-982-4748) or visit www.cdc.gov/wtc