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The health effects of the 9/11 attacks are numerous and varied.
The collapse of the Twin Towers created massive dust clouds that filled the air and left hundreds of highly populated city blocks covered with ash, debris, and harmful particles, including asbestos, silica, metals, concrete, and glass. Fires within the debris pile and the collapse of 7 WTC burned through the end of December 2001 with continued flare-ups in 2002, releasing carcinogenic combustion by-products. These contaminants remained in Lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn for an undetermined amount of time after 9/11. Responders, local workers, residents, students, and others had potential for acute exposures in the early days and continuing exposure from residual materials—indoors and outside—as well as exposure to toxic gases, smoke, vapors, and combustion by-products from continuing fires 1.
According to a study conducted in 2019, 9/11 responders have an elevated risk of certain cancers compared with the general population. Their risk is 25 percent higher for prostate cancer, more than double for thyroid cancer, and 41 percent higher for leukemia 2. Another study found that nearly half of living responders have a respiratory or digestive condition related to 9/11, and 16 percent have developed a cancer. Another 16 percent have a mental health condition such as PTSD, depression or substance abuse 3.
The federally funded World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program recognizes dozens of illnesses, injuries, cancers, and mental health conditions that are linked to the attacks 2. Since the attacks, more than 63,000 registered members have developed one or more medical conditions stemming from their exposure. Respiratory and digestive issues are the most commonly reported 4.
It is important to note that in July 2019, after passage by both the House and Senate, President Trump signed a bill into law to ensure continued full funding for the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. The “Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act” permanently funds benefits to people and families who suffered from health impacts from the Sept. 11 attacks and the ensuing rescue, recovery and cleanup operations 1.
Photo credit: Robert Gillio, MD at the Ground Zero Clinic September 2001
