There continue to be more victims of 9/11 over a decade after the horrific attacks as those exposed to dangerous chemicals at Ground Zero are suffering from 9/11 cancer deaths. 2,977 deaths were recorded in the initial attacks, but many more have died in the following years due to exposure.

As the years pass, more and more victims present at Ground Zero after the attacks are being diagnosed with cancer, in many cases leading to 9/11 cancer deaths. Many cancers, including asbestos-related cancer, can take around 15 years to emerge. Now, 17 years after those horrific 2001 attacks, these cancers are emerging.

Among just the firefighters belonging to the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York (UFANYC) union, 173 have suffered from 9/11 cancer deaths after exposure. Seven of these 9/11 cancer deaths have occurred just this year. For context, that means that around one in eight firefighters at Ground Zero have since been diagnosed with cancer.

“We are living proof of the 9/11 effects, of that toxic soup we were breathing in,” said Gerard Fitzgerald from the UFANYC, speaking to BBC News. “Every time, the thought goes through your head—could it be me next? Is it inside me? But you can’t live like that.”

These tragedies are far too common, and come from exposure to dangerous chemicals like benzene, asbestos, jet fuel, and other carcinogens at Ground Zero.

All in all, around 400,000 are estimated to have been exposed to these substances, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many have been treated for illnesses like chronic coughs, asthma, cancer, and depression.

Several compensation funds have been created to help victims in the aftermath. Many different people may have been exposed to these dangerous toxins and are eligible to receive money from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, including first responders, construction workers, city workers, and nearby students and residents. Exposure to chemicals at Ground Zero has been linked with at least 70 types of cancer.

However, fewer than 70,000 people who volunteered their help during 9/11 and 14,300 who were present in the city have applied for medical aid.

Seeking Compensation After 9/11 Cancer Deaths

Patients diagnosed with one of dozens of different cancers in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks may be eligible for compensation from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. These cancers include lung cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma, leukemia, brain cancer, sarcoma, and many others. A full list of these cancer types is available on our investigation page.

If you or someone you love was diagnosed with cancer in the years following exposure to Ground Zero in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, you may be eligible for compensation.