9/11 Lung Conditions

“Nobody that was down there got spared. If you didn’t get cancer, you have breathing trouble, or you have blood trouble or sinus troubles. Nobody got out of there unscathed.”

These words were spoken back in 2015 by David Howley, a 9/11 survivor and retired NYPD officer who spent many months near Ground Zero following the attacks of 9/11. Like many other first responders, Howley faced a type of throat and neck cancer that is rare even among non-smokers. It all traces back to the carcinogenic dust cloud that erupted at Ground Zero.

Howley’s cancer diagnosis is emblematic of the enduring health consequences of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Decades after the attacks, various diseases and complications are still being diagnosed in individuals who were in the vicinity of the World Trade Center. Cases of lung disease, in particular, are still on the rise.

Barbara Burnette is a tragic example of this trend. A retired NYPD detective, Burnette conducted search and rescue efforts at Ground Zero. This exposed her to the toxic substances that hung heavy over the WTC site long after the Twin Towers collapsed. Burnette developed interstitial lung disease, inoperable cancer, and other conditions. She ultimately passed away in December 2021.

Lung Conditions Related to 9/11 Toxin Exposure

Among the many health burdens faced by survivors and responders, lung-related conditions remain some of the most common and debilitating consequences of exposure to toxic dust, smoke, and debris after the September 11 attacks. One significant category is cancer of the respiratory system, including lung and bronchus cancers, which appear in the top certified cancers under the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), with nearly a thousand cases reported among responders and survivors in recent data, reflecting the elevated risk in this exposed population compared to the general public. Beyond cancer, a range of chronic interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) have been linked to 9/11 exposure, such as sarcoidosis, asbestosis, and other fibrotic lung conditions; research has shown these ILDs occur at rates more than twice what would be expected in similarly aged populations not exposed to the WTC dust.

Additionally, aerodigestive disorders that affect the lungs and adjacent systems, including asthma triggered or worsened by exposure, reactive airway dysfunction syndrome (RADS), chronic respiratory disorders due to fumes or vapors, and WTC-exacerbated COPD, contribute to long-term respiratory morbidity among those present in the New York City exposure zone. These conditions often overlap with other aerodigestive issues, such as chronic cough, upper airway hyperreactivity, and sleep apnea, which can further compromise breathing and quality of life.

At Pitta & Baione, LLP, we witness the impact of these serious lung conditions firsthand and work to help eligible individuals secure full compensation through the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). This ensures that clients understand how their respiratory illnesses are connected to 9/11 exposures and how compensation can support their long-term care and financial needs.

Lung Cancer Among 9/11 Responders

According to the most recent WTCHP figures, lung/bronchus cancer ranks among the top certified cancers for 9/11 survivors, with hundreds of confirmed cases within the WTCHP alone.

A 2025 cohort study published in JAMA Network Open provides additional context: among more than 12,300 WTC responders followed for over a decade, 118 new cases of lung cancer were identified between 2012 and 2023, corresponding to an incidence rate of approximately 8.7 cases per 10,000 person-years. Importantly, individuals with more severe dust exposures at the WTC site had up to nearly three times the incidence of lung cancer compared to those with milder exposures, even after adjusting for factors like smoking.

Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILDs) After 9/11

Interstitial lung disease has also been documented at elevated rates in WTC-exposed cohorts. In a long-term study of FDNY responders, ILD developed in 80 of 14,525 individuals followed over nearly 20 years, with an age- and sex-standardized incidence rate of approximately 37 cases per 100,000 person-years. The study also found that about half of those ILD cases progressed to more severe pulmonary fibrosis, highlighting the serious nature of these conditions in the exposed population.

Overlap with Aerodigestive Disorders

While not all aerodigestive conditions are classified strictly as “lung disease,” many overlap with respiratory symptoms that significantly impact breathing and quality of life. The WTCHP groups several related conditions, including chronic respiratory disorders due to fumes or vapors, WTC-exacerbated COPD, and asthma, under its aerodigestive category. In the latest public program statistics, tens of thousands of enrolled responders and survivors are certified with these conditions, reflecting the widespread impact of toxic dust exposure on airways and breathing.

Putting These Numbers in Perspective

Although cancer and ILDs represent only part of the overall respiratory burden, their presence is significant:

• Lung/bronchus cancers are among the top 10 certified cancers in the WTCHP.
• Continued cohort research links greater WTC dust exposure with higher lung cancer incidence, even after accounting for smoking and other risk factors.
• ILD prevalence in exposed firefighters was found to be more than twice that of the general population, with many cases progressing to severe fibrosis.

For many of the clients Pitta & Baione, LLP has helped, these statistics are not abstract numbers; they represent real, ongoing health challenges tied directly to the toxins at and around Ground Zero. Our work focuses on helping eligible 9/11 survivors and first responders understand how they can seek compensation and other benefits for the conditions with which they have been diagnosed.

What is Interstitial Lung Disease?

Interstitial Lung Disease, or ILD, is one of the most common lung conditions related to the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. According to the American Lung Association, ILD is an umbrella term for various ailments that cause inflammation and fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs. Scarring damages the tissue in and around the airways and air sacs in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. ILD lung damage is irreversible and may worsen over time.

As of March 2025, data from the CDC shows that 1,595 responders and 881 survivors had certified WTC-related interstitial lung diseases.

Shortness of breath is the most common symptom of ILD. This is due to the inability of the scarred air sacs in the lungs to fully expand. Without full expansion, it is more difficult to inhale and get oxygen into the body. Other ILD symptoms include:

• Dry cough
• Chest discomfort
• Fatigue
• Clubbing or widening of the fingers or toes
• Weight loss
• Decreased appetite
• “Crackles” (unusual lung sounds)
• High blood pressure
• Heart failure
• Respiratory failure

Who May Have Developed a 9/11 Lung Disease?

Most people are familiar with the huge plumes of smoke that resulted from the collapse of the towers. The smoke contained various toxic substances like concrete, insulation, particulate matter, and more. It’s hard to determine exactly how far the smoke traveled or how long it took to settle. But the closer (both in distance and time) one was to Ground Zero, the more likely it is that someone breathed in the toxic air.

First responders – namely firefighters, police officers, and paramedics – were present at Ground Zero almost immediately after the World Trade Center was reduced to rubble. These individuals are at the highest risk for developing 9/11 illnesses like lung disease, cancer, respiratory problems, and sinus problems.

However, anyone who was in Lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001, especially right after the Twin Towers fell to the ground, may have developed a 9/11-related lung disease. Anyone who is aware that they breathed in the dust from the collapse should take this matter seriously and see a doctor, even if they have not yet noticed any breathing or other problems.

Eligibility for Coverage for Health Conditions Under the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP)

As of December 2025, over 150,000 individuals were enrolled in the WTCHP. The WTCHP is an effort designed to provide medical monitoring and treatment for those persons who were exposed to the carcinogenic substances released into the air during the 9/11 attacks. First responders and other survivors may be eligible for the WTCHP if, between 9/11/01 and 5/30/02, they were present in any capacity in the following areas:

• In Lower Manhattan below Canal Street
• At the Fresh Kills landfill
• On barges/trucks/piers along debris removal routes
• At 9/11 related morgues
• At garages where emergency vehicles were cleaned

Responders at the Pentagon or at the Shanksville, PA crash sites may also be eligible for healthcare and compensation if they were exposed within a more limited timeframe.

Eligible 9/11 Lung Conditions and Breathing Disorders

The following are considered covered conditions that may qualify an individual for compensation from the WTCHP or VCF:

• Asthma
• Chronic cough syndrome
• Chronic laryngitis
• Chronic nasopharyngitis
• Chronic respiratory disorder—fumes/vapors
• Chronic rhinosinusitis
• Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (“GERD”) (persistent heartburn)
• Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS)
• Sarcoidosis
• Sleep apnea exacerbated by or related to another condition described in the list of aerodigestive disorders
• Upper airway hyperreactivity
• WTC-exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• New-onset COPD

9/11 Lung Cancer

Many victims who have 9/11-related lung diseases have also developed lung cancer. Lung cancer is distinct from other types of lung diseases, even though the two are often lumped together. While the symptoms of lung cancer and lung disease frequently overlap, making diagnosis challenging, there are some important differences victims should know about.

How We Help Victims of the 9/11 Attacks Who Are Suffering from Health Issues

The WTCHP and VCF were among the two most significant efforts to help victims of the September 11th, 2001 attacks seek medical treatment for the various diseases they developed. To date, these programs combined have paid out billions of dollars to cover the healthcare needs of those affected by the collapse of the World Trade Center. This includes victims who developed lung disease.

However, qualifying for the programs and actually winning compensation are often two different things. The WTCHP and VCF instituted strict criteria to try to ensure that only truly eligible individuals applied and that fraud was avoided. These were noble aims that, unfortunately, sometimes worked against the very people they were intended to help.

This is where retaining a 9/11 benefits attorney can make a difference. Because of the complexities associated with applying for benefits, many victims have hired legal counsel to represent them. The good news is that 9/11 benefits lawyers generally work on a contingency fee basis. At Pitta & Baione LLP, we do not bill our clients at any point, and we are only paid if our clients get paid.

An attorney can assist you by:

• Explaining in detail the eligibility criteria of both the WTCHP and the VCF, including the exposure zones
• Exploring the unique criteria for both first responders and survivors
• Reviewing your case to determine whether you qualify for either or both programs
• Sufficiently documenting your 9/11-related health condition
• Gathering the necessary evidence to substantiate your claim
• Submitting timely, complete, and accurate applications for the WTCHP and/or VCF
• Proving both your economic and non-economic damages pursuant to the VCF
• Monitoring changes to eligibility criteria so our clients are kept up to date
• Representing you in an appeal, if available, following a claim denial
• Working to provide first responders and survivors with faster access to the benefits they deserve

Evidence that May Support Your Claim for Health Impacts Related to 9/11

Part of the reason that victims hire a 9/11 benefits attorney is to help them gather the evidence they need to prove their eligibility for the WTCHP and/or VCF. You may already have some of this evidence, or you might know who (e.g., your doctor) is in possession of it. Regardless, if you have the following documentation, it could be a vital part of your claim:

• Medical records: These will prove relevant to documenting your lung disease or other covered conditions. Doctors’ notes, medical bills, referrals to specialists, prescription medications, and more can help you.
• Income records: The VCF may compensate you for income that you lost related to any 9/11 illnesses you developed. Included here are pay stubs, statements from your supervisor, a description of your job duties, and tax documents.
• Proof of your presence at or near Ground Zero: There may be any number of documents proving that you resided, worked, attended school, or were otherwise present in the 9/11 exposure zones. Examples include utility records, work and academic records, or even something as simple as a receipt proving you were in the area.

Call a 9/11 Benefits Lawyer to Learn More About Seeking Compensation for 9/11-Related Health Effects

We urge you not to wait if you or a loved one were sickened by the toxic fumes that were released in the 9/11 attacks. Tragically, those individuals who developed lung disease, especially lung cancer, may not have a great deal of time to submit a claim. If you are terminally ill, in rapidly deteriorating health, or experiencing financial hardship stemming from the attacks, we will work to expedite your claim if possible.

No one should have to battle lung disease and other 9/11 illnesses on their own. With the right legal representation, you can maximize your benefits and protect your rights. Connect today with Pitta & Baione LLP to get started or to learn more.