NEW YORK, NY September 06, 2006 —New York City is stepping up its screening and treatment of those exposed to the toxins kicked up by the World Trade Center's destruction. Mayor Bloomberg says he wants the federal government to open its coffers, too.

Bloomberg is calling on Washington to resume the Victims Compensation Fund. It closed in 2004 disbursed after disbursing some $7 billion, most of it to 9/11 families. Some of the money was paid to people who reported injuries before the end of 2003, and Bloomberg says others whose health problems emerged later should also be eligible. He also wants to re-open the World Trade Center Health Registry, which signed up people for long-term monitoring but has not taken new applicants since 2004.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg has pledged to triple the Health Department’s 9/11 unit, which monitors those in the Registry and refers people for medical services. And he is adding some money to the one city-run clinic for Lower Manhattan residents and people other than responders and Ground Zero workers.

Critics say the administration has been slow to recognize the environmental health crisis and take a leadership role. Bloomberg says the Health Department has operated programs all along. But did not explain why they are being expanded now.