The number of deaths from diseases related to the 9/11 attacks has increased

New York City Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh announced in a statement that two more people in the department died from cancer and lung diseases.

Kavanagh noted that with the latest two deaths, the number of people who died from 9/11-related illnesses reached 343 firefighters who died on the day of the attack.

“We have reached the turning point”

Arguing that both illnesses were “a result of the time spent on rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site” after the attack, Kavanagh said: “We have reached a notable turning point with these deaths.” he said.

Kavanagh noted that since September 11, 2001, 11,000 of the agency’s emergency response workers have been battling illnesses related to the attacks, including 3,500 with cancer.

After the collapse of the Twin Towers, toxic chemicals such as asbestos from dust clouds spread into the air, causing health problems for emergency response teams working in the area and those living nearby. (AA)