Cases of cancer related to exposure to 9/11 toxins have increased in recent years. In one such case, a former NYPD detective who served as a first responder after the terrorist attacks has recently died of cancer. He was an advocate for the World Trade Center Compensation Fund and other programs for survivors. 

According to the Daily News, Dennis Murphy’s cancer was related to his exposure to 9/11 toxins. Reportedly, he was afflicted with cancer of the tongue, throat, and neck. Before his death at the age of 57 in mid-October, his cancer had spread to his bones and liver.

Murphy was an advocate for 9/11 survivors, says the Daily News. Reportedly, he supported an extension of 9/11-related healthcare. One important source of healthcare funding for 9/11 survivors is the World Trade Center Compensation Fund.

In July, the World Trade Center Compensation Fund’s deadline for claims was extended, as it became clear that cases of 9/11 related illnesses were were not abating, and instead, were increasing as the years wore on.

Another source of healthcare is the World Trade Center Health Program, which provides medical monitoring and treatment for victims of the terrorist attacks. Eligible individuals include those who were first responders at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Penn. Survivors in the area, even if they were not first responders, are eligible for the program.

CBS explains that unfortunately, many people do not know about the program, or do not know that they may be entitled to benefits. CBS estimates that around 450,000 people are eligible for free lifetime medical care as part of the World Trade Center Health Program, a valuable benefit given that survivors of 9/11 face many health effects that afflict them even years after the attacks. However, less than a quarter of eligible individuals are enrolled, says CBS.

Reportedly, among its many benefits, the program covers health care if a survivor stops working and loses insurance. Specifically, many people use the benefits to treat conditions connected to 9/11 toxin exposure.

CBS then goes on to explain that a challenge is that some people do not know that the program exists, or if they do know that it exists, they do not know that they are eligible. Reportedly, the program was established under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010.

CBS says that around 400,000 people were exposed to toxins at Ground Zero, including first responders, residents, and others. Unfortunately, over 2,000 people have died of illnesses connected to their 9/11 toxin exposure.

The conditions connected to 9/11 toxins are extensive, and include 68 cancers including skin and lung cancer, in addition to those that affected Murphy. 

CBS explains that during and after the terrorist attacks, building debris and other toxins were released into the air. One of these toxins may have been asbestos, which may be linked to lung cancer. CBS says that asbestos cancer takes a long time to develop. Though 9/11 was almost 20 years ago, some of the health conditions related to the attacks may just be emerging.