Zadroga Bill to Cover 50 Types of Cancer

by Adel Manoukian 50 types of cancer have joined the list of covered conditions for the World Trade Center Health Program linked to the Zadroga Bill that was passed in early 2011. This comes after Dr. John Howard, Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, reviewed the link between exposure to the toxins at the World Trade Center site and developing cancer affecting the digestive and respiratory systems. He recently issued a proposed rule to accept all of the Science/Technical Advisory Committees recommendations. The Zadroga Bill expands death benefits to workers assumed to have died due to the exposure of toxins at Ground Zero following the 9/11 attacks. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand released a statement Friday following the decision: "We thank Dr. Howard and the Science/Technical Advisory Committee for their hard work and diligence which will get more of our 9-11 heroes suffering from cancer the treatment they deserve," they said. Two more peer-reviewed scientific studies will also be done to determine if any additional cancers should be included in the list. "We are confident that with the benefit of new peer-reviewed studies to come, we will be successful in ensuring that first responders and community survivors suffering from other cancers will also get the access to the program they so desperately need," said Schumer and Gillibrand.