Interview20201 h 2 min640×360

Lloyd R. Wilson oral history interview conducted by Laurel Gumpert, June 29, 2020

Wilson, Lloyd R.

History

At the Library of Congress

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About

Lloyd worked for the NYS Department of Health, as the director of its drinking water program. His office did anthrax sampling along with other sampling around Ground Zero. This consisted of taking metal cans to different locations around Ground Zero to collect air samples so the upwind and downwind chemical concentrations could be studied. Lloyd explains how breathing in the fumes from the fire was not healthy, but the long-term health impacts were not known at that time. Lloyd felt uncomfortable wearing his respirator and often did not use it because the responders around him were not wearing protective masks. He found it difficult to walk past the memorial set up near the harbor, which was filled with stuffed animals and flowers left by loved ones. Lloyd lost a previous co-worker and friend, which made the attacks on 9/11 more personal to him. In the few days he spent at Ground Zero, Lloyd was amazed at the bravery and teamwork of the people working there. The depth of the impact of his experience during 9/11 became clear to Lloyd when he watched a PBS show and heard the same bell that they used when remains were identified on the pile. He became overwhelmed with emotion and believes it could be a form of PTSD. After 9/11, Lloyd changed the focus of his work to identifying equipment that should be stockpiled and training for additional events with the Department of Justice. The events on 9/11 made Lloyd more appreciative of his life and how quickly things can change.

Archive
Library of Congress, in Library of Congress
Licence or status
Rights statement at the Library of Congress, as the Library of Congress states it.
Credit
Library of Congress
Language
English
Country
United States
Who can watch
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