[Eagle Eye]

What they don't mention is the number of rescuers who refused to wear respirator.

Some of the private industry health and safety officers on site were frustrated about the low useage rates.

It seems that the respirators were uncomfortable and a hindrance.

Professional responders/resuers know that after securing the scene the number one rule is to stay part of the solution not part of the problem by unnecessarily risking their lives or safety.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

What they don't mention is the number of rescuers who refused to wear respirator.

Thanks. This is sort of like the bemoaning of the number of Americans who don't have health insurance while ignoring the Yippes who choose to spend their money on Beemers instead.

[Alberta's Child]

That's the story nobody seems interested in talking about.

I'd also point out that the public employee unions (police, firefighter, EMS) in New York City fought every attempt by the city government to remove all unnecessary "rescue personnel" from the site.

Call me a heartless bastard, but I don't have any sympathy for many of these folks.

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

It seems that the respirators were uncomfortable and a hindrance.

One complaint I've heard is that they were noisy, and it was hard to hear victims in the rubble if you were wearing one.

[reagan_fanatic]

What they don't mention is the number of rescuers who refused to wear respirator.

Exactly. I would be interested to see what percentage of those testing positive worked the pile without any breathing protection.

And what of all those air monitors the EPA had installed around Ground Zero - I have heard nothing regarding the final results of those units and whether anything considered dangerous was found in the air.