Reps. Maloney, Nadler & King Statement on Study Showing 15% Increased Cancer Rates Among 9/11 First Responders
Press Release
Reps. Carolyn B. Maloney [D-NY], Jerrold Nadler [D-NY] and Peter King [R-NY] issued the following statement after publication today of a study of almost 21,000 first responders by the World Trade Center Health Program which shows a 15 percent increased incidence of thyroid, prostate, blood, lymph and soft tissue cancers among first responders in the first seven years after the 9/11 attacks, when compared to a control group.
"Today's study results from the World Trade Center Health Program showing a 15% increased incidence of cancers among 9/11 responders in just the first seven years after the attack are further testament to why the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act was needed and why we fought so hard for so long to get it passed.
"We urge anyone with exposure to the toxins at Ground Zero in the days, weeks and months after the attacks to register for the WTC Health Program and monitor their health status closely; early detection is key when fighting cancer."
Background
Link to the study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives: http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/1205894/
Link to sign up for health monitoring: http://www.cdc.gov/wtc/
The World Trade Center Health Program, which is headed by Dr. John Howard, Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, provides medical monitoring and treatment for those who became ill as a result of the attacks, and conducts research into emerging 9/11-related health conditions. Last September, Reps. Maloney, Nadler, King, Rangel, Velazquez, Grimm, and Clarke, along with Sens. Schumer and Gillibrand, sent a letter to Dr. Howard, requesting that he review new evidence that showed an increased rate of cancers among firefighters present at ground zero and consider adding cancer for the health program. The WTC Science and Technical Advisory Committee was created under the Zadroga Act to advise Dr. Howard regarding the implications of 9/11-related medical research, and to issue recommendations on adding coverage for new conditions under the bill.
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