Even though the September 11 attacks happened almost seventeen years ago, many unfortunate individuals including first responders and residents of lower Manhattan are still suffering from WTC related health conditions.

On Sept. 11, 2001, two planes crashed into the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City leaving in their wake widespread destruction and the loss of thousands of lives. Many died on that day and on subsequent days due to injuries sustained during the World Trade Center attacks.

Still more individuals, to this day, are suffering from various WTC related health conditions including respiratory problems and different cancers.

According to NBC, first responders at the September 11 attacks including firefighters are still developing WTC related health conditions.  NBC reports, “Firefighters who worked the site of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York have an extra-high risk of cancer, especially multiple myeloma.”

Multiple myeloma is a cancer that occurs in the plasma of the blood and affects the bones. WTC related health conditions like multiple myeloma can be deadly, affecting the kidneys, red blood cells, immune system and bones. Treatments include chemotherapy, radiation or stem-cell therapy.

NBC reported on two different studies, both looking at white, male firefighters. Researchers say that the cloud of heavy dust and toxic chemicals that fell on lower Manhattan after the September 11 attacks affected first responders in a very significant way.

Researchers wrote, “Our study shows that World Trade Center exposure may be a risk factor for the development of multiple myeloma and its precursor disease.” This study looked at both white, male firefighters who were multiple myeloma patients and also a group of older firefighters.

The researchers found that WTC white firefighters who developed multiple myeloma were on average 12 years younger than the national average. They were developing multiple myeloma at age 57.

Additionally, more of these men had a condition that often precedes multiple myeloma called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). This condition can lead to multiple myeloma.

According to this study, white male firefighters who were WTC first responders had a 1.8 higher risk of developing multiple myeloma than other white men screened for the condition.

One of the study’s researchers,Dr. David Prezant said, “We wanted to find early, predictive signs of cancer that would allow us to screen people and monitor those found to be at risk. By detecting MGUS, which predicts the development of multiple myeloma, we are able to do that.”

WTC Related Health Conditions

Not only did these firefighters develop multiple myeloma, but many other first responders and those living in lower Manhattan have developed other WTC related health conditions.

Some of these WTC related health conditions include lung cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer and skin cancer. Some other deadly WTC related health conditions include melanoma, thyroid cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, mesothelioma, colon cancer, kidney cancer, brain cancer, liver cancer and bone cancer.

Those affected by WTC related health conditions include those living, working, going to school below Canal Street including construction workers, sanitation workers, city workers, utility workers and cleaners. Firefighters, police officers, EMTs and other first responders are also affected by WTC related health conditions.