[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] A total of 9,795 people were diagnosed with cancer over the past 17 years due to breathing in fire smoke and toxic dust in the 9/11 attacks, of which 420 died, according to officials at the World Trade Center Health Program speaking to the New York Post on Saturday.The 2001 attacks had resulted in the immediate death of 2,973, but the newspaper highlighted the deadly effects of the attack which lingered for several years after.
The people who fell ill with cancer after the attack were residents of Manhattan or those who worked in the area. Some of them were firefighters, coppers or rescuers.
Illnesses were a result of the toxic dust inhaled that included jet fuel, asbestos, cement and glass shards.
More than 1,700 people died as a result breathing the toxic dust, including 420 specifically from cancer, according to the study.
According to the newspaper, rescue and recovery workers have significantly higher rates of thyroid cancer and skin melanoma and face a higher risk of bladder cancer.
"Non-responders have had significantly higher rates of breast cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma," the Post added.
The WTC Health Program provides medical benefits to specific groups of individuals affected by the 9/11 attacks.