Group Says 9/11 ground Zero Rescue Workers Dying From Unusually High Cancer Rates

New York, NY (AHN) - At least 360 workers who volunteered to perform search and rescue operations at the World Trade Center directly following the September 11, 2001 attacks have since died; 80 of which suffered cancer-related deaths.

The volunteers and rescuers worked at Ground Zero, nearby blocks and at the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island. New York state health officials have identified the cause of death for 154 dead volunteers.

David Worby, who represents ill Ground Zero workers, said the 360 estimate is just the "tip of the iceberg." Their group is made up of at least 10,000 sick volunteers, 600 of whom are now cancer stricken, allegedly caused by their exposure to toxic elements on the site.

According to the World Trade Center Responder Fatality Investigation Program, most of the victims had tumors on their lungs and digestive system. Others had blood cancers and heart and respiratory ailments. Five committed suicide. Most of them were males between the ages 20 to 50, who worked as policemen, firefighters or laborers.

Kitty Gelberg, who tracks the deaths, told the New York Daily News, "We are not saying all of these deaths are World Trade Center-related... Without the statistics, we are not making judgment."

Dr. Robin Herbert, head of the Mount Sinai Medical Center's monitoring and treatment program, had forecast a third wave of 9/11-related deaths due to cancer caused by their exposure to carcinogens such as benzene, dioxin and asbestos.

Eight police officers who died from ailments were honored Thursday at the New York Police headquarters in an emotional ceremony led by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Placed on NYPD's Wall of Heroes were Jimmy Zadroga, Kevin Hawkins, Robert Williamson, John Young, Angelo Peluso, James Godbee, Ronald Weintraub and Thomas Brophy.