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Celebrated 9/11 worker health advocate dies

Open-access content Tuesday 16th January 2018
From the archive:  Just so you know, this article is more than 3 years old.

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The current research director at the New York State Tri-Funds Administrator and Laborers' Health and Safety Fund of North America, Dr. Melius was one of the architects of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which established an extensive programme of medical monitoring and healthcare services for first responders, volunteers and survivors of the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks.

He helped create the National Construction Safety and Health Research Program and worked closely with the Laborers' International Union of North America for 24 years as well as other building trades unions, and the International Association of Firefighters.

He also worked to protect workers from exposure to asbestos and other dangerous toxins on work sites, and to ensure that those who developed diseases as a result of workplace exposure received support.

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