A class action investigation has been launched after numerous victims of the Ground Zero terrorist attacks have reportedly developed long term September 11 health effects. More specifically, people who lived or worked around the area of Ground Zero have been reportedly developing serious long term September 11 health effects like cancer.

Over a decade after the 9/11 attack, the concern of long term September 11 health effects plague the area of Manhattan and other areas where volunteer helpers came from to help clean up the aftermath.

Approximately 2,753 people died in lower Manhattan on the day of the attack, while the victim count was eventually estimated to be over one million due to people being exposed to toxic substances from the aftermath.

Overview of September 11 Health Effects

During the eight month cleaning period, first responders and volunteers were reportedly exposed to a number of toxic chemicals including aluminum, asbestos, glass, and burnt jet fuel. Each of these substances has been linked to long therm September 11 health effects, including over 70 different types of cancer.

These cancers have been confirmed to be caused by the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, according to the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program. The victims most commonly reported in conjunction with long term September 11 health effects include but are not limited to:

• First Responders
• Firefighters, Police Officers and EMTs
• Sanitation Workers
• Construction Workers
• City Workers
• Utility Workers
• Cleaners
• 9/11 Volunteers
• Out-of-State Responders
• Employees working below Canal Street
• Residents living below Canal Street
• Students attending school below Canal Street

Even though the severity of September 11 health effects are being discussed now, it took many years after the attack to get to this point.

In fact the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had informed Manhattan residents that it was safe to return to the site not long after the attack, even though there had been an eight month clean up period. The EPA’s announcement had put thousands in a false sense of security, with the public unaware of the dangers of exposure to toxic substances.

New York City firefighters and police officers who were on call that day have reportedly lost an average of 12 years off their lung capacity, with residents and employees in the area suffering similar effects.

The World Trade Center has certified over two dozen former students and teachers, who were near Ground Zero during the 9/11 attacks. Others have registered in different compensation funds, in order to receive help for their long term September 11 health effects.

The September 11th Victims Compensation Fund consists of $7.3 billion, which was established by the federal government in 2004, and is meant to help victims suffering from long term September 11 health effects.

Even though the fund was initially discontinued, it was reinstated on Jan. 2, 2011 and was guaranteed to cover victims until 2020 by President Obama. Victims of the September 11 attacks could seek financial assistance for their injuries from one of these victim compensation funds, which are dedicated to ease financial burdens brought on by medical expenses.