WNYC NEWSROOM June 12, 2007 —People who may have been exposed to 9/11 dust and debris have been dropping out of a long-term study to monitor health problems. WNYC’s Fred Mogul has more.

The Health Department initially hoped to enlist hundreds of thousands of people in the World Trade Center Health Registry. The idea is to track them for 20 years or more, if funding lasts, to see whether health problems arise. The Registry got about 70,000 respondents in its 1st round, in 2003.

Last June, health officials launched a follow-up round of surveys, but a year later, less than half of the original group has participated. Advocates have criticized the registry, because its purpose is to detect broad patterns rather than help individuals, but officials say it performs a crucial role. Yesterday, the city announced the appointment of a new World Trade Center Health Coordinator and a professional working group to follow research, screening and treatment programs.

For WNYC, I’m Fred Mogul.