New Study Looks at 9/11 Health Effects on EMS Workers
Nearly one in eight EMS workers who responded to the World Trade Center attacks appears to be suffering from digestive problems, and one in seven could be depressed. These are among the findings of a study out this week that's the first to look at this particular group of emergency responders.
Dr. Mayris Webber is a researcher who examined EMS workers. She said common ailments include chronic conditions like asthma, bronchitis and acid reflux.
"All of these conditions we know they did not have prior to 9/11. And we also know we have a smaller group of EMS workers who were not at the World Trade Center and so we were able to compare how often these conditions occur in the groups who were not at the World Trade Center and we see that there's quite a big difference," Dr. Webber said.
Dr. Webber said the high prevalnce of depression, nearly 17 percent, was most surprising.
This study comes as Congress debates whether to extend the Zadroga Act. Among other things, the act funds healthcare for 9/11 responders. The first of its two parts expires this October.
