Zadroga Zone Expands 10 Blocks To Canal Street

The Post is reporting that those who lived or worked as far uptown as Canal Street will now be able to receive compensation for health problems resulting from the collapse of the Twin Towers.

Sheila Birnbaum, who oversees the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund, expanded the eligibility zone 10 blocks north to Canal Street. The previous northern cut-off point was Reade Street.

The $2.8 Billion fund could potentially help thousands of additional victims.

From the Post:

Birnbaum said compelling public comments, as well as scientific and medical evidence, persuaded her to expand the zone.

Evidence suggests “that prolonged exposure to dust between Reade and Canal streets created a demonstrable risk of physical harm,” she said.

She also noted there are already a substantial number of patients who live between Reade and Canal receiving treatment in the federally funded World Trade Center Environmental Health Program.

“My goal is for the Victim Compensation Fund to be fair, transparent, and easy to navigate for those who have been affected the most by the devastating events of Sept. 11,” Birnbaum said.

One group who will still not be covered by the fund are those suffering from cancer. In July, Bensonhurst Bean covered the decision by the fund’s head physician to not include cancer stricken 9/11 victims, citing a lack of sufficient evidence.

Bensonhurst Bean would like to know our readers’ thoughts on this matter.

With the knowledge that toxic dust created by the collapse of World Trade Center buildings 1, 2 and 7 contained known carcinogens, do you think it’s wrong for the fund to exclude cancer victims?

Or do you think cancer is far too common in our chemical-laced society to sort out which illnesses specifically resulted from the 9/11 attacks?