PBA Demands Cancer Stats Following 9/11 Uniform Test Results
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An old police uniform has led to new legislation that would force the NYPD to release information on the rate of cancer within the department following the September 11th attacks. NY1's Tetiana Anderson filed the following report.Alonzo Harris's dusty police uniform from September 11th is coated with much more than memories.
He says he wore it proudly during almost a month of rescue and recovery work and when he was done he just wanted to move forward.
"When I got home I removed my uniform and packed it in two plastic bags and I sealed it in the bottom of my closet," said Harris.
But he could have never known that uniform could hold the key to why he and so many first responders have fallen ill since that fateful day.
The doctor who unsealed and tested it a decade later determined the deadly debris and dust that covers it is the cause of many 9/11-related illnesses.
"Iron, crystals, asbestos. Then chemicals, dioxins, ferons, PCBs...all known to cause illness and in many cases cancer," said Forensic Scientist Dr. Richard Lee.
And with those results the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association is once again demanding that the mayor and New York City Police Department release departmental cancer rates to show the big picture.
"Release the data. Stop covering it up. Let our members get better," said PBA President Pat Lynch.
The PBA says the cancer rate among its members has tripled since 9/11. And new legislation to be introduced in the State Senate would force the NYPD to share what it knows.
"I don't think we should have to go down that road. We think the mayor can do the right thing," said State Senator Diane Savino.
The PBA says the NYPD information would be passed to Mt. Sinai Hospital to help treat the nearly 300 first responders who have gotten cancer in the years since 9/11. The association also says this date could help those who don't have cancer yet, but could be diagnosed in the future.
"It's a real reality. That is why I came forward with the uniform for the 1,000 first responders who are still ill," said Harris.
The push for disclosure comes as the federal government weighs whether or not to include cancer among the illnesses covered by the Zadroga 9/11 health bill.
While the NYPD has refused to hand over private medical records, Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne released a statement saying, "The Department is looking to get medical releases from individual officers to move this process forward."