New York ? An autopsy linking the death of a police officer to dust at the World Trade Center site was chilling confirmation to many Sept. 11 rescuers that more than four years later, the disaster is still claiming lives.

A class-action lawsuit claims there have been dozens of deaths related to the cloud of debris that hung over the ruins. Hundreds of police officers, firefighters and others who labored at ground zero have respiratory illnesses and other chronic disorders they blame on asbestos and other substances. And there are others who are healthy now but fear they will develop cancer or other illnesses down the line.

Last week, an autopsy report was released on 34-year-old police Detective James Zadroga, and it is being cited by his family and union as the first medical proof that people still are dying from the attacks.