Priya Menon Priya Menon Scientific Media Editor at Curetalk

9/11 Cancer Link Recognized By US Government, Zadroga Act To Cover 50 Cancers

9/11 illnesses now include cancer too

Rescue workers and residents who worked on Ground Zero were exposed to toxic fumes from the rubble. Pic courtesy: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/

On the 11th anniversary of 9/11 attacks, the Federal Government finally recognized the cancer hazard that people who lived near Ground Zero and those who responded to the attacks and sifted through toxic debris were subjected to. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health announced yesterday, the around 50 cancers would be covered by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and compensation Act.

It was due to lack of scientific evidence that cancer had not yet been included under the act. However, new scientific evidence clearly indicates that the dust that the people were exposed to not only caused respiratory illnesses but also was responsible for causing cancer in many. The newly announced regulation would allow compensation of cancer victims.

The Zadroga Act

The Zadroga Act was made into a law in 2010. It was named after NYPD detective James Zadroga who died working on the World Trade Center pile at the age of 34. One component of the law already monitors about 40,000 responders and residents and there are about 20,000 receiving medical treatment. The Victim Compensation Fund is the other component concerned with cancer compensation issue.

The most important question that is plaguing many minds is that with the inclusion of cancer, the number of people seeking compensation would increase and thus the individual handouts may be reduced. So would the government be planning to increase the fund amount and would people live to see this amount.

The existing program already covers asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, mental disorders, PTSD, depression and musculoskeletal conditions.

According to Reuters, the overall death toll from 9/11 related health issues are over 1000. Cancers to be covered by the new inclusion would be lung, breast, bladder, colorectal, melanoma, leukemias and childhood cancers.

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