MANHATTAN — Survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks who are suffering from cancer will not receive medical coverage from the federal government anytime soon.
A review of current research has found insufficient evidence to support a causal link between exposure to the toxins at Ground Zero and any type of cancer, according to a report by the WTC Health Program Cancer Working Group released Tuesday.
As a result, cancer will not be added to the list of conditions covered by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, which provides medical benefits to people suffering from certain respiratory, digestive and mental health conditions linked to the attacks.
"This is disappointing news for 9/11 responders and survivors who tragically have been diagnosed with cancer since the attacks and are suffering day-to-day and awaiting help," the bill’s sponsors, U.S. Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Jerrold Nadler and Peter King, said in a joint statement following the report's release.
The Zadroga Bill requires a periodic review of scientific evidence to determine whether cancer should be added to the list of 9/11-related health conditions.
A second review will be conducted in early- to mid-2012, the report said.
"Thankfully, we know that today's announcement is not the last word on the inclusion of cancers in the program," the lawmakers' statement added.
"The collapse of the Trade Center towers released a cloud of poisons, including carcinogens, throughout lower Manhattan and we fully expect that cancers will be covered under our legislation."
