As the 10th anniversary of September 11 draws near, a nation re-lives the horror and devastation that unfolded that day.

The catastrophic terror attack on New York City's World Trade Center, which took the lives of 3,000 Americans and reduced two of the tallest, most majestic skyscrapers in the world to mere dust and rubble, is forever imprinted on our minds.

NY has risen from the ashes, resilient and defiant but some are still struggling a decade later. Our heroes, the First Responders, are having a hard time for the mysterious thick dust that coated everything and everyone in the city that fateful day, had deadly consequences.

CNN correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, hosted a riveting program Wednesday night called 'Terror In The Dust," which chronicles the effects of the deadly dust on firefighters, police officers and others who were directly in the path of the collapsing twin towers. Those who selflessly worked prolonged hours rescuing others.


I watched as Gupta interviewed one such Responder, who feebly walked around a hospital ward, dragging his oxygen tank behind him, breathing laboriously through its tubes. All because he inhaled that dangerous dust on that tragic day and those days following.

No one knew what was in the grey powdery substance and no one thought twice about jumping in to help. Now many are suffering from various forms of cancers and pulmonary diseases that doctors have directly linked to exposure to the toxic air and dust at 'Ground Zero.'

Which begs the question, just what was in that dust? Conspiracy theories still abound, with some saying only a nuclear blast could generate that kind of powdery ash. Some studies have even likened the grey mixture that bellowed as the huge buildings fell, to the mushroom cloud of Japan's unforgettable Hiroshima bombing.

One renowned scientist, Dr. Paul Lords of Rutgers University, who collected samples of the dust, has performed extensive tests and 10 years later he said that some things will always remain a mystery. However, he was able to discern an incredible amount of toxic chemicals embedded in the dust.

It seems most of the periodic table was in the 1.5 million tons of dust. Some of them were Mercury and gold from tens of thousands of lightbulbs, Lead from all the many computer modules, Titanium from the paint on the walls, Asbestos from the lower base of the buildings, as well as cement, glass, ceiling tiles, carpet fibers, even human hair.

These volatile compounds as Dr. Sanjay Gupta referred to the cocktail of chemicals breathed in by those up close and personal at Ground Zero, are now wreaking havoc on their health.

Many are terribly ill and need extensive medical care, which can be extremely costly. A Bill to help these sick men and women were repeatedly voted down by the GOP in Congress, which is unfathomable. Especially since that party has milked September 11 shamelessly and endlessly.

The First Responders Healthcare Bill was finally passed in December 2010, after a bitter long fight by advocates and some Senators like NY Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.

Many are angry that it took the governement this long to get them help. Others are also angry that they were not warned and prepared adequately to handle the toxic dust.