Five years and eight days ago, the United States witnessed the most devastating terrorist attack in the history of the country, as well as the most genuine act of human altruism, compassion and selflessness.
The death toll totaled 2,752 after the World Trade Center attacks. Unfortunately, that number continues to grow today.
Over 9,000 good samaritans and 40,000 relief workers came to the rescue in the days, weeks, months and years after the attacks.
Police and fire personnel, family members and friends, residents and strangers alike rummaged through the debris of the fallen towers searching for proof of life or closure for the thousands of people believed to have been in the buildings and on the planes that day.
Debris, ash, smoke and toxins diffused through the air around New York City, but most concentrated in the several blocks around ground zero.
Relief workers inhaled these day and night as they scoured the scene, and now nearly 70 percent suffer from both acute and chronic respiratory illnesses and problems, according to ABC's David Muir.
And now the Sept. 11 death toll is increasing.
James Zadroga, a New York City police detective who helped in the recovery at ground zero, died in January; the autopsy was the first to report that there was "a reasonable degree of medical certainty that the cause of death in this case was directly related to 9/11," according to ABC.
Since the attacks, he and many others have been impaired by coughing, chest pains, trouble breathing, sinus infections, rashes, lung disease, and in some cases, death.
Now the victims and their families are suing the Environmental Protection Agency for reparations, claiming false statements were made about the air quality and safety around the twin towers.
Residents of the area were allegedly misled into believing it was safe to return to lower Manhattan to work and live again. They request that the EPA pays their medical bills and expenses for the trauma.
Some of the families of the plane-crash victims received huge settlements from the aviation industry and a federal compensation fund, according to The Boston Globe.
The rescuers and recovery workers suffered possibly just as much psychological and emotional damage, and an added bonus of health issues, so they push for medical treatment and assistance in the payment of medical bills.
However, levels of asbestos and other toxic chemicals were being taken and recorded by both the EPA and the city of New York. The worst levels unfortunately were not reported until five months after the attacks, according to the Daily News in New York.
In addition, the EPA's Web site lists facts and data about asbestos and other harmful chemicals and pollutants, including the use of asbestos as "thermal insulation, fire proofing and in other building materials," and the fibers and particles "become airborne when asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed."
Most aid and relief workers would probably know the health risks of digging through a mile of debris and soot, and if not, it is easily attainable information.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency as well as its precursor, the Department of Homeland Security, were created as a response to the terrorist attacks in 2003, according to the FEMA Web site.
Isn't this very situation FEMA's lifeblood? If it was created in direct response to Sept. 11, shouldn't they take on the bills, even retroactively?
Either way the money awarded to the ailing workers comes from taxpayers, through funding for FEMA or the EPA. But how would you rather have your money presented to these heroes?
As relief - though FEMA's relief efforts have left much to be desired, but that's another story entirely - or through agonizing litigation?
Ultimately, no one needs to be suing in situations like these, but, seeing as how many Americans use the legal system to its full potential, it's obvious that someone is going to pay exorbitant amounts for an hourly attorney.
The EPA is not the bad guy here. We already know who that is (sort of) or we wouldn't still be fighting terrorism.
What happened on Sept. 11, 2001, was a horrible tragedy for the victims, their families and the volunteers, and sent a little blow to the American spirit of invincibility.
The events possibly could have been prevented - court cases are still working that out - but nonetheless, they happened, and life for the rest of us goes on.
If responders or residents were given false information about what areas were safe to be in, they should certainly be compensated.
But why make everything about money?
Kirsten Keane is a journalism sophomore who wishes only to enlighten, not to offend. Contact her at: kirsten.keane@asu.edu.
