Washington – The full Senate has approved an additional $55 million in federal funding to address the mounting health needs of those individuals who were exposed to the environmental hazards released as a result of the September 11, 2001 attacks upon the World Trade Center.

The funding, which comes in addition to the $50 million that was provided in the recent Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill, was included in the Fiscal Year 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Bill by the Senate Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee. The bill will now proceed to the conference with the House as the next step in the appropriations process.

Specifically, the $55 million will go towards screening, monitoring and treatment activities administered by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to help those individuals who were exposed to the environmental hazards released on and after 9/11. The bill also includes language requiring the Department of Health and Human Services, through NIOSH, to expand the program beyond responders and rescue workers to entities that would provide services to residents, office and commercial workers, students, and other individuals who were exposed. Existing programs to serve those who were impacted include the centers in the Mt Sinai Consortium and the program run by the New York City Fire Department.

Finally, the bill, which was given full Senate approval, encourages the development of a long-term, comprehensive solution to screen and monitor all individuals who were exposed to environmental hazards from the World Trade Center collapse and encourages the provision of long-term comprehensive medical services for those experiencing illnesses or injuries as a result of these exposures.