Feds to recognize Ground Zero caused cancer

Almost exactly 11 years after the 9/11 attacks, the federal government is on the verge of recognizing that people contracted cancer as a result of extended exposure to the Ground Zero site. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health could announce today that it recognizes people who lived near the site, or who participated in the cleanup of the former World Trade Center towers’ rubble, were in danger of getting cancer, the New York Post reported.

The confirmation would ensure that about 50 cancers are covered by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, named after a Police Department detective who died at age 34 after working on the site.

The Post noted that, for some, the ruling comes too late — about 400 people have died from cancer since the attacks. Another concern is whether the ruling will increase the funding for people whose health deteriorated as a result of the attacks so that the increase of cancer patients don’t reduce each individual patient’s slice of the pie.

Some 60,000 people are being monitered for the fund, which contains about $2.77 billion. [Post] — Adam Fusfeld