9/11 toxic dust illnesses emerge
LATEST 400,000 estimated exposed to toxic dust
Four hundred thousand people, including first responders and civilians who lived or worked near Ground Zero, are estimated to have been exposed to toxic dust from the 9/11 attacks. Twenty-five years later, survivors and responders are being diagnosed with illnesses, primarily cancers, linked to the exposure. First responder deaths linked to the attacks continue to rise.
NOW PLAYING CDC estimates 400,000 exposed to toxic dust from 9/11 as first responder deaths keep rising
The CDC estimates that 400,000 individuals, including first responders and civilians who lived, worked, or visited lower Manhattan, were exposed to toxic dust from the 9/11 attacks. Many are now being diagnosed with 9/11-related illnesses, including dozens of types of cancer, respiratory diseases, digestive disorders, and mental health conditions like PTSD. Nicholas Papain, an attorney for the FDNY union who has handled numerous claims for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, stated that approximately 4,500 firefighters have died from these illnesses since the attacks.
This story highlights the long-term public health consequences of the 9/11 attacks, emphasizing that the risks extend far beyond first responders and continue to manifest decades later through a range of serious illnesses.