Another brave New York City firefighter has lost his life due to 9/11 health effects.

Ronald Svec, 63, worked at Ground Zero for many weeks in the toxic aftermath of the September 11 attacks. He fought cancer of the lungs and spine for the last nine years of his life. Svec was diagnosed with cancer just six months after he retired from the FDNY’s Ladder Company 82.

His wife noted that even though he suffered tremendously, her husband loved being a firefighter before he died of 9/11 health effects.

Many Still Dying from 9/11 Health Effects

Unfortunately, Svec is one of the thousands of brave souls who worked in the dust and fumes for the weeks following the attacks, only to suffer debilitating and deadly 9/11 health effects later.

In fact, illnesses and cancers caused by the toxic air continue to be diagnosed today. For weeks after the attacks, the air was filled with a frightening mixture of asbestos, aluminum, glass, burned jet fuel and other cancer-causing materials.

Some cancers take years to manifest. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of an organ and is caused by asbestos. Mesothelioma can take between 20 to 50 years after exposure to develop. Asbestos released from the crushed drywall, insulation, and flooring of the collapsed buildings invaded the air for weeks.

Help Available for Those with 9/11 Health Effects

The United States government funds two different programs to assist victims and families of victims who have suffered 9/11 health effects. The World Trade Center Health Program provides coverage for medical treatment. The Victim Compensation Fund offers financial assistance to victims’ families, first responders and people who endured and survived the attacks.

Although more than 17,000 claims have been processed through the Fund, many people suffering from 9/11 health effects don’t realize the Fund exists or that they qualify for assistance.

Victims do not have to live in New York to qualify for aid. The government recognizes that nearly 30,000 responders trekked to Ground Zero from almost every state, and those brave people could be eligible for assistance through the Victim Compensation Fund.

An additional 70,000 firefighters, police officers, construction workers, and volunteers worked in the dangerous air quality for weeks. Everyone who lived and worked in lower Manhattan at the time experienced exposure to high levels of carcinogens as well.

An estimated 400,000 New Yorkers could suffer terrible 9/11 health effects after being exposed to hundreds of toxins that hung in the air. Thousands who later developed health complications related to this environmental exposure may qualify for compensation.