Ground Zero Workers and Cancer: Understanding Risks from the WTC Cleanup

First responders and clean-up crews who responded to the World Trade Center attack on 9/11/01 were exposed to a lot of dust and toxins and many of the responders were exposed to it before it even settled. Some responders assisted with the cleanup without the proper masks being given to them to assist in the cleanup safely.

When the World Trade Center was attacked on 9/11/01 and remnants of the building fell to the ground and a clean-up was needed. Many honorable men and women in New York City assisted in the clean up. Some of those people who helped were firefighters or other city employees while others were just volunteers but their assistance in the rescue attempts and the clean-up exposed them to dangerous and harmful substances that can cause serious health problems such as cancer years after they were originally exposed.

The World Trade Center was built during a period or time when many chemicals that we consider dangerous today were used to build with. Toxic chemicals that rescue and clean-up crews for Ground Zero may have been exposed to are as follows:

• Asbestos
• PCBs
• Dioxin
• Lead
  
• Furanes
• Mercury
• Benzene
• and other chemicals

Some first responders and volunteers who assisted at or around Ground Zero have been diagnosed with cancer and in some cases the cancer was thought to be caused by the exposure to asbestos and PCBs at the scene. Working around toxic chemicals such as asbestos and PCBs can cause different types of cancers including mesothelioma.

If you were part of the 9/11 World Trade Center rescue crew or if you were part of the Ground Zero clean-up and are experiencing symptoms such as a persistent cough, chest pain, or breathing difficulties it is important you seem medical attention immediately to determine if you have a more serious underlying health problem.

For additional information about your rights as a part of the rescue and clean-up crews that assisted at WTC Ground Zero contact Frank J. Dito Jr. Staten Island World Trade Center injury lawyer. We offer a free consultation and also offer information about the Zadroga Bill which will provide compensation to those who are experiencing health problems caused by the debris at the World Trade Center. Call 718-979-4300 to speak with us today.

As of February 14th, 2011 it was announced that the Zadroga Bill currently does not have provisions for those who believe they have cancer caused by the World Trade Center rescue and clean-up. Please contact our office or continue to search our site to find out if a change has occured that allows for coverage for those with cancer under the Zadroga Bill.