First Respondent from 9/11 suffering from cancer

2/10/12

Frank Osekowsky

There has been growing concerns over the years of health effects arising from the Sept 11 attacks in the financial district of lower Manhattan.

A startling number of healthy, young cops have been diagnosed with cancer since working at ground zero.  The causes ranges from lung which is the most with 19 reported cases to other cancers that attacks the bile duct, tongue and nasal passages.

Since the September 11 attacks 56 cops have died from cancer, according to the PBA.

Cancer is not covered under the Zadroga Act which was passed by the Federal government after the 9/11 attacks.

The Zadroga Act

On December 22, 2010, the United States Senate passed a 9/11 health bill.  The bill calls for providing $1.8 billion until 2015 to monitor and treat injuries stemming from exposure to toxic dust and debris at the World Trade Center site.  There are nearly 60,00 people enrolled in health-monitoring and treatment programs related to the 9/11 attacks.  The bill is formally known as the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, named after a New York Police detective who took part in the rescue efforts at ground zero and later developed breathing complications.

A decision will be made in March on whether or not to include cancer in this act.