Senator Chuck Schumer has introduced a bill to create the first ever firefighter cancer registry. The idea is to identify potential connections between exposure to toxins and cancer rates among firefighters. The registry would compile epidemiological information received from healthcare professionals about firefighter cancer incidences. Anonymized data would then be made available to researchers for analysis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would be able to collaborate with healthcare professionals, researchers, and firefighters through consultations to improve accuracy. Hopefully, the registry would lead to advanced safety protocols to help firefighters.
Schumer held a press conference at the Garden City Fire Department Headquarters to announce the bill. “Our brave firefighters on Long Island and across New York State are on the frontlines, risking their lives to protect our communities,” said Senator Schumer. “And now with the ubiquitous presence of complex chemicals in our furniture, clothes and goods, they are too often exposed to a caustic brew of toxins when fighting fires. That is why it so important for Congress to pass this critical legislation to establish a national voluntary firefighter cancer registry, so researchers can better track, treat – and one day prevent – the potential connections between firefighting and cancer.”
The registry is being proposed in response to research indicating strong correlation between firefighting and increased risk for testicular cancer, stomach cancer, multiple myeloma, and brain cancer. As discussed in our recent blog post, cancer incidences among those exposed to 9/11 toxins have tripled in less than two and a half years- 6,378 new diagnoses over the period with a particular increase in prostate and thyroid cancer, leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
However, approximately 75,000, or 20%, of people exposed to 9/11 toxins have enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program. This means that, unfortunately, the actual cancer rate may be even higher. Pitta & Baione LLP is dedicated to raising awareness about the Health Program and offers free assistance to applicants: Not only can individuals help themselves by obtaining free healthcare, but they can also benefit the entire 9/11 toxins exposed population by providing more information for scientific research.
For years, Senator Chuck Schumer has been a staunch advocate for individuals who were exposed to toxic dust and debris on and after 9/11. Senator Schumer was a co-sponsor of the original James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, and fought hard for its 2015 reauthorization. Thanks to Senator Schumer, and other Zadroga Advocates like Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Representatives Peter King, Carolyn Moloney, and Jerrold Nadler, to name a few, free healthcare and compensation benefits are available to the over 400,000 people who were exposed to 9/11 toxins.
For more information, contact Pitta & Baione LLP at 844-982-2667 or info@pittabaione.com
