WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-First responders face new 9/11 challenges

September 7, 2011

Firefighter Jeff Stroehlein spent weeks sifting through the toxic rubble of the World Trade Center; 16 hour shifts with little protection.

"Just some things you don't think about. It's like going into a fire. You're not thinking about it. You're doing what you're gonna do," Stroehlein said.

Earlier this year, Stroehlein, 47, was diagnosed with brain lymphoma; a rare cancer he's convinced is related to his work at ground zero.

"The last few days have been rough. Today I feel a little better," he said.

New research shows firefighters who were exposed to the toxic environment at ground zero are 19 percent more likely to have cancer than other firefighters, and those numbers may be going up.

Doctors at Mount Sinai Medical Center are also watching for any cancer trends among more than 20,000 other 9/11 responders.

"Cancer and the 9/11 responders is something we're very worried about," said Dr. Philip Landrigan of Mount Sinai Medical Center. "We know they were exposed to carcinogens; asbestos, benzene, dioxin, other toxic building materials."

So far the government does not recognize cancer as an illness related to 9/11. Cancer patients receive none of the funding set aside for victims.

For Stroehlein, who lost many friends, that's an insult to responders now fighting for their own lives.

"You got guys laying there struggling, dying, and he's got to worry about bills?? That makes no sense," he said.

For now, more 9/11 responders are without the financial support they hoped for.

Lawmakers, emergency workers and labor officials have filed a petition calling for 9/11 Health Program Administrator John Howard to consider adding cancer to conditions covered under the 9/11 Health Program.

CBS News