On the morning of September 11, 2001, Susan Lukas was at the Pentagon preparing for meetings when American Airlines Flight 77 struck the building, killing all 64 people onboard and 125 inside. Despite the devastation and ongoing fires, Lukas returned to work the next day as ordered, unaware at the time that she and thousands of others were being exposed to toxic materials from the damaged building.
Lukas, a former Air Force major, is now among a growing group of service members and Pentagon personnel who report chronic health issues linked to toxic exposure in the aftermath of the attack. The Reserve Organization of America (ROA) estimates thousands have suffered long-term health consequences after working at or near the Pentagon during the cleanup period, which lasted from September 12 to November 19, 2001.
In the days following the attack, fires burned along the Pentagon’s roof for nearly three days, producing smoke, dust, and gases from burning jet fuel, plastics, asbestos, and other hazardous substances. Although cleanup crews worked extensively to clear debris and wipe down surfaces, the building remained coated with soot and dust during much of the recovery. Environmental testing found that some contaminants, including lead and asbestos, exceeded occupational safety limits.
Despite these conditions, two-thirds of the Pentagon was reoccupied within two weeks of the attack. Employees, including Lukas, reported persistent symptoms such as headaches, throat irritation, and respiratory problems. Lukas was eventually diagnosed with tracheomalacia, a rare condition where the windpipe weakens, as well as fibromyalgia and sleep apnea—ailments she believes are related to toxic exposure from the Pentagon environment in 2001.
Although federal programs like the World Trade Center Health Program provide health benefits to responders in New York, and the PACT Act expanded care for veterans exposed to burn pits overseas, Pentagon workers exposed after 9/11 have not been included in these protections. Lukas is the namesake of the Susan E. Lukas 9/11 Servicemember Fairness Act, legislation introduced in Congress in September 2025 that would extend Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and disability benefits to those who served at the Pentagon during the cleanup period.
The bill, supported by Representative Suhas Subramanyam and advocated by ROA, presumes a connection between Pentagon toxic exposure and various conditions including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tracheomalacia, cancer, and cardiovascular and skin diseases. Without this presumption, affected veterans must currently navigate a difficult process to prove service-related causation for their illnesses.
The VA has identified more than 6,400 veterans assigned to the Pentagon cleanup who have filed upwards of 31,000 disability claims, with about 11,700 denials to date. Advocates argue that granting presumptive status would facilitate access to comprehensive medical care and financial support, encouraging veterans to seek treatment for conditions they might otherwise neglect.
Lukas continues to manage daily pain and respiratory difficulties linked to her exposure, relying on multiple medications, therapies, and home air purifiers. Despite her health challenges, she remains active in advocacy work and is determined to raise awareness about the ongoing impact of the Pentagon’s toxic environment following 9/11.
As the anniversary of the attacks approaches, Lukas chooses to avoid media coverage and public discussion, focusing instead on coping with her ailments and supporting others facing similar struggles. The legislation bearing her name remains under consideration in the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, with proponents urging timely action to recognize and address the health needs of Pentagon personnel who responded in the days after the attack.