Understanding the Link Between 9/11 Cancer and Ground Zero Exposure
September 11, 2001, involved the tragic events that caused permanent scars on the US, both emotionally, economically, and physically. Besides the direct destruction, thousands of first responders, clean-up workers, and survivors are still affected by its long-term consequences. The most severe among them is the rising levels of people diagnosed with the diseases caused by exposure to toxins at Ground Zero especially the types of 9/11 cancer.
What Can Be 9/11 Cancer?
9/11 cancer Defining The term 9/11 can describe most cancers that have been proven to have been caused by exposure to the toxic dust and debris that covered Lower Manhattan after the Twin Towers collapsed. When the towers collapsed they spilled a toxic mix of asbestos, heavy metals, jet fuel, and other dangerous chemicals into the air-making an environmental threat never seen in the history of the nation.
Many people who were exposed to this environment have over the years developed cancers some of which were manifested years later and even decades. Such diseases are already considered by any compensation schemes and health care tracking systems.
Who Gets it?
Although first responders who include firefighters, police officers, and EMTs constitute a significant percentage of the affected persons, they are not the only vulnerable persons. Others include:
- Clean-up workers and construction workers
- People who helped with the recovery work
- inhabitants around Ground Zero
- The ones actually at the office or in school at the time of the attacks or afterward
It has even been shown that short-term exposure has led to the cancer getting risky and therefore people who were during the weeks or months next door to 9/11 in Lower Manhattan need to keep checking their health.
9/11 Associated Types of Cancers
The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) and the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) have identified more than 70 kinds of 9/11 cancers. They are among others:
- Cancer of the prostate
- Cancer in the thyroid
- Cervical cancer (female) Breast cancer (male and female)
- Leukemia
- Non Hodgkins lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Skin cancer (malignancies)
- Cancer of the respiratory system like the lung and throat cancer
The comprehensive list keeps expanding as a newer research validates short-term Ground Zero exposure effects.
Victims Legal and Financial Assistance
Medical care or compensation or both may be paid to individuals who have developed a known 9/11 related cancer. The VCF and WTCHP have been created to take care of the victims through James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.
In order to obtain such benefits, victims should:
- Demonstrate that they were within the exposure radius at an acceptable time-frame
- Give medical evidence of their condition
- Make a claim in any time limits that are applicable
It makes the process of claiming a very complicated process because a lot of people opt to get legal support and guidance using the services of an attorney who is familiar with 9/11 related cases. An experienced lawyer can be useful to provide the protection that their claims should be filed accordingly and that the victims be compensated fully.
Final Thoughts
The 9/11 legacy is still continuing, particularly, to people who have the related health conditions. It is critical to understand that awareness of the risks of 9/11 cancer is also critical towards getting support and justice that a victim deserves.
Whether you or someone you love was at Ground Zero and have found yourself with a cancer diagnosis, do not hesitate, educate yourself on your right and find out what your rights and possible recourse are to care and compensation today.
