The collapse of the twin towers released asbestos, pulverized concrete, heavy metals, silica, and more than 70 other toxic substances. Firefighters spent months conducting rescue and recovery operations at Ground Zero. Their exposure to hazardous chemicals led to life-threatening illnesses years later, unaware that they had been exposed to them without adequate respiratory protection.
Firefighters faced particular dangers during rescue and recovery operations:
- Breathing in toxic dust particles through the mouth, throat, and lungs
- Contact with contaminated debris and surfaces
- Exposure to the dust cloud settling on skin and clothing
- Inhaling smoke and burning materials from fires that continued for months
A comprehensive study of 10,786 WTC-exposed FDNY firefighters documented 915 cancer cases, revealing a 13 percent higher overall cancer incidence compared to non-exposed peers. Firefighters with high exposure are nearly three times more likely to suffer from lung cancer.
Prostate cancer risk is approximately 39 percent higher in WTC-exposed firefighters, while thyroid cancer shows more than double the risk. WTC-exposed firefighters tend to develop cancer at younger ages, with a median age at diagnosis of approximately 55.6 years compared to 59.4 years in non-exposed firefighters.
Respiratory diseases remain common, including obstructive airway disease and asthma. Symptoms such as chronic coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath often persist for years. To date, 1,469 World Trade Center Health Program members have died from airway and digestive disorders, whereas 1,366 have passed away from cancer.
Relevant job titles
- Firefighter
- FDNY member
- Fire rescue personnel
- Rescue worker
