New York — Depression. Insomnia. Eye infections, coughing and sore throats.
People who live near Ground Zero have suffered from a variety of medical problems since the World Trade Center disaster, according to a New York City Health Department study released Friday.
Nearly 40 percent of the people interviewed for the report showed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder: emotional numbness, sleep loss, depression, anxiety, feelings of intense guilt, irritability and outbursts of intense anger.
About half experienced physical ailments eye infections, shortness of breath, coughing or other respiratory problems because of exposure to smoke and dust caused by the Trade Center fires.
The study found that of those suffering from stress disorders, less than a third have received therapy.
"There are likely to be thousands of people living in lower Manhattan who could benefit from counseling," the report said.
The physical problems were expected to be short-term, but there were concerns about longer-term effects for the elderly.
The study was conducted in late October. Workers from the Health Department and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention went door to door, visiting the apartments of more than 400 people living in three downtown areas: Battery Park City, Southbridge Towers and Independence Plaza.
Participation was voluntary and anonymous.
Community leaders said the survey confirmed what has become a fact of life for those living near Ground Zero.
"People are very vulnerable around here," said Madelyn Wils, chairwoman of Community Board 1. "We all saw what happened and lived through it.
"The aftermath of seeing your neighborhood turned into a war zone is really very stressful," she said. "People are nervous and high-strung."
Wils said that while people were no longer complaining about respiratory problems, "physically vulnerable" people, such as the elderly, are experiencing longer-term illnesses such as asthma or sinus infections.
Wils and other officials representing the area said the report backed arguments that not enough has been done to provide people with health, counseling and cleanup services.
The study found that 59 percent of those interviewed received information on how to properly clean their apartments of dust and debris. Some people said they needed financial help with cleanup efforts.
Another 40 percent said they had cleaned according to federal guidelines.
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