A study has found that three types of cancer spiked among first responders at the scene of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but there was no overall increase in cancer among people exposed to debris at Ground Zero in Manhattan.
A story in the New York Daily News notes that six months ago, the federal government agreed to add 50 types of cancer to the illnesses eligible for compensation from a $4.3 billion fund set up for victims of the attack.
That list included mesothelioma – a cancer affecting the mesothelium, which is the protective lining that covers many of the internal organs of the body. Mesothelioma is caused primarily by exposure to asbestos, which was present in the toxic dust surrounding Ground Zero after the attacks.
According to the Daily News, the fund has not yet paid out any compensation, which has angered advocates for the victims.
The new study, conducted by New York City Health Department, found that prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, and multiple myeloma rose significantly for first responders who worked at Ground Zero or other sites where debris was taken. But there was no significant jump in the overall cancer rate for people in the World Trade Center area.
A previous study by the city’s fire department concluded that firefighters who worked at the collapsed twin towers have a 10 percent greater chance of contracting cancer than those who did not, the story says.
If you or a loved one have contracted mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure, contact Lopez McHugh for a free consultation.
See the story here:
