NEW YORK (AP) -- More than 6,500 people have signed up so far for a study of the long-term health effects of the World Trade Center collapse.
The World Trade Center Health Registry was launched last week.
The registry is open to people who were near the twin towers when they fell. The goal is to determine whether there are any long-term effects from breathing the smoke, dust and debris.
Health officials hope to collect information from up to 300,000 people.
``The more people that enroll, the more accurate and comprehensive the registry's findings will be,'' city Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Frieden said Thursday.
People who enroll will answer a 30-minute telephone survey. No blood tests or medical exams are required. Health officials will follow up periodically for 20 years. People can drop out at any time.
