More than 43,000 people in the US have illnesses linked to 9/11 — ABC News Australia
In New York, United States, the health consequences of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks for rescuers, residents and workers of Lower Manhattan remain palpable 25 years later. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 400,000 people were exposed to toxic substances after the collapse of the World Trade Center towers, ABC News Australia reports.
The dust and ash that covered the area after the attacks contained asbestos, crushed glass and cement, heavy metals and other toxic chemicals. Former New York firefighter Michael O’Connell, who worked at the destruction site, was later diagnosed with sarcoidosis and an autoimmune disease. According to the source, both conditions were later linked to exposure to environmental toxins after September 11.
Long-term consequences
New York City Fire Department Chief Medical Officer David Prezant said that in the first days after the tragedy, the air was so dense with particles that people could not see an outstretched hand in front of them. According to him, dust from the destroyed concrete exposed firefighters to silicates, which can cause chronic inflammation and a range of illnesses.
For ten months after the attacks, specialists continued to detect traces of asbestos nearly one kilometre from Ground Zero. One study of approximately 30,000 police officers and workers involved in operations at the destruction site recorded a higher cancer risk among them than in the general population. Another study found that intense contact with dust and ash nearly doubled the likelihood of a systemic autoimmune disease. At the same time, the source notes that it is difficult to establish the causes of all illnesses.
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The World Trade Center Health Program, which provides medical coverage and monitoring for people with attack-related health problems, has 154,700 registered participants. According to the CDC, 9,224 people among those who fell ill have died. A new report from the New York City Fire Department program indicates that cancer remains a serious concern among first responders; non-melanoma skin cancer and prostate cancer were named among the most common diagnoses.
Compensation for victims
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani ordered the first-ever release of air-quality reports, pollution records and correspondence by city officials. At a press conference, he said people became ill because leaders they trusted assured them that the air was safe to breathe.
The US Congress established the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund 11 days after the terrorist attacks. The eligibility criteria were later expanded to include people with physical injuries or illnesses related to rescue work, site recovery or debris cleanup. Australian Anne Margulis, who lived in New York during the attacks, secured recognition after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer and stomach cancer that air pollutants after September 11 contributed to the development of her illnesses, and received compensation, the amount of which was not disclosed.
According to the source, more than 43,000 people currently have recognized illnesses linked to 9/11.
