Ground Zero Firefighters at Higher Risk for Cancer

September 2011

A recent study has found that New York City firefighters who worked at Ground Zero after the terrorist attacks on September 11 are 19 percent more likely to suffer from cancer than other firefighters who didn’t.

The study focused on 9,853 male firefighters – 8,927 of whom were exposed to the WTC site – from the date of the attacks to September 11, 2008. When compared with the general population, the firefighters had a 10 percent increased risk of cancer. But when compared with other firefighters, the percentage of risk increased to 19 percent. The findings were published in the medical journal The Lancet in a special 9/11 issue.

Also published in the journal was a study of about 27,500 people enrolled in a WTC health monitoring program. Nearly 28 percent had asthma, 39 percent suffered from acid reflux disease, and 42 percent had sinus problems. There were also many who were suffering from depression and anxiety disorders.

The data comes shortly after an announcement that the Zadroga Act will not cover cancer treatments for WTC workers and first responders. The reason for the decision was inconclusive research findings.

For more information on Ground Zero workers’ injuries, visit EdgarSnyder.com.