Twenty years on, 9/11 responders are still battling health issues
Zee News
An Australian study has discovered long-term health impacts of the September 11, 2001, World Trade Centre attacks on the emergency workers and clean-up crew
Emergency workers and clean-up crew are among 9/11 responders still suffering significant health issues 20 years after the terrorist attacks. More than 91,000 workers and volunteers were exposed to a range of hazards during the rescue, recovery and clean-up operations. By March 2021, some 80,785 of these responders had enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program, which was set up after the attacks to monitor their health and treat them. Now, a study by Australia's Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, after examining these health records, has shown the range of physical and mental health issues responders still face. Breathing problems, cancer, mental illness The research found 45% of responders in the health program have aerodigestive illness (conditions that affect the airways and upper digestive tract). A total of 16% have cancer and another 16% have mental health illness. Just under 40% of responders with health issues are aged 45-64; 83% are male. Their analysis shows 3,439 of responders in the health program are now dead ? far more than the 412 first responders who died on the day of the attacks. Respiratory and upper digestive tract disorders are the number one cause of death (34%), ahead of cancer (30%) and mental health issues (15%). Deaths attributed to these three factors, as well as musculoskeletal and acute traumatic injuries, have increased six-fold since the start of 2016.More Related News