Although the September 11, 2001 attacks were 25 years ago, the health effects are still being felt today. First responders, recovery workers, and residents exposed to World Trade Center (WTC) dust and debris may still face health risks from asbestos and other toxic substances.
The link between 9/11 and asbestos is well documented, with exposure increasing the risk of mesothelioma and other cancers.
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that can take decades to develop after someone encounters asbestos. The 25th anniversary of the attacks is an important time to recognize that the risk of 9/11 cancer hasn’t passed for those who were exposed.
9/11 Asbestos Exposure Risks
The collapse of the World Trade Center towers released a massive cloud of dust and debris containing approximately 1 million tons of pulverized particulate matter. First responders and recovery workers faced repeated asbestos exposure during rescue and cleanup, while residents, office workers, students, and others in Lower Manhattan were also exposed.
Because asbestos-related diseases take 10 years or longer to develop, the health consequences of 9/11 dust can continue to emerge decades later.
Asbestos exposure can cause these 9/11 cancer types and other related conditions:
- Asbestosis: A lung disease caused by asbestos fibers that scar the lungs and make it harder to breathe
- Lung cancer: A cancer that can be caused by asbestos exposure, with an even higher risk for people who smoke
- Mesothelioma: A rare cancer that usually develops in the lining around the lungs but can also affect the abdomen
- Ovarian cancer: A cancer that has been linked to asbestos exposure
- Pleural effusion: A buildup of fluid around the lungs that can happen after asbestos exposure
- Pleural plaques: Thickened areas around the lungs that can be a sign of past asbestos exposure
- Pleural thickening: Thickening around the lungs that can make it harder for them to expand
For those exposed to WTC dust, health monitoring is still important 25 years later.
“We’re screening a lot of patients, especially the 9/11 cohort who were exposed to asbestos in the Twin Towers. Next to prevention, screening is the best thing you can do because if you catch it early, you have more of a chance of preserving that lung.”
Download our Free Asbestos Guide to learn how asbestos exposure may have happened and find support if you’re facing a related illness.
9/11 Mesothelioma Latency Period
People can develop mesothelioma years after 9/11 because the disease has an unusually long latency period. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that mesothelioma generally develops 20 to 40 years after asbestos exposure, with some cases occurring more than 70 years later.
Here’s how 9/11-related cancers connected to asbestos develop:
- Someone exposed to asbestos on 9/11 may have breathed in or swallowed tiny fibers that became trapped in their body.
- Over time, these fibers can irritate and damage nearby cells.
- This damage can build up slowly over many years and may eventually lead to mesothelioma.
For people exposed to 9/11 dust, mesothelioma may still develop decades later. Knowing the signs and symptoms can help you or a loved one recognize when it’s time to talk to a doctor.
9/11 Mesothelioma Cases
Researchers have documented cases of 9/11 workers’ mesothelioma among people who worked near Ground Zero. Cases of mesothelioma from 9/11 have also been reported in civilians who worked or lived close to the Twin Towers.
4 examples of 9/11 mesothelioma cases include:
- A 38-year-old man who developed a rare form of papillary mesothelioma after living several blocks from the WTC
- A 57-year-old man who developed pleural mesothelioma after working near the WTC
- A 70-year-old man who worked in Lower Manhattan and developed pleural mesothelioma
- An 80-year-old woman who cleaned offices in Lower Manhattan and was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma
None of these 4 individuals participated in rescue or recovery operations, demonstrating that potential exposure to WTC dust was not limited to first responders. All 4 reported exposure to the asbestos-contaminated dust on September 11 and continued exposure during cleanup efforts.
38-Year-Old Nearby Resident with Peritoneal Mesothelioma
A 38-year-old man developed intermittent abdominal pain and bloating beginning in 2012. Doctors eventually identified well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma of the peritoneum in 2017. He underwent cytoreductive surgery with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).
He had lived several blocks from the World Trade Center on 9/11 and was directly exposed to the dust. After returning to his apartment about a week later, he found dust inside his home that had remained for more than a month.
His diagnosis came about 15 years after 9/11. He reported no previous asbestos exposure and had never smoked.
57-Year-Old Office Worker with Pleural Mesothelioma
In 2020, a 57-year-old man developed a right-sided pleural effusion and a 5-centimeter mass. A biopsy confirmed epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma.
He was 38 years old on 9/11 and worked in an office in the area. He reported that his hair, skin, and clothing were covered with dust and debris after the attacks. He returned to work 3 weeks later.
His cancer was diagnosed 19 years after his WTC exposure. The disease later spread to his scapula and femur, and he died 21 months after his diagnosis.
70-Year-Old Lower Manhattan Man with Pleural Mesothelioma
A 70-year-old man talked with his doctor about experiencing left-sided back pain in 2018. Imaging revealed an abnormality, and a pleural biopsy performed in May 2018 confirmed epithelioid malignant mesothelioma.
He had been 53 years old on 9/11 and worked in Lower Manhattan. He reported exposure to WTC dust on September 11 and continued working in the area afterward.
His mesothelioma was diagnosed approximately 17 years after his initial exposure. He died in 2019, about 18 months after his diagnosis.
80-Year-Old Office Cleaner with Peritoneal Mesothelioma
An 80-year-old woman developed abdominal symptoms in 2020. A biopsy in January 2021 confirmed inoperable peritoneal mesothelioma. She was 60 years old on 9/11 and worked as an office cleaner in Lower Manhattan.
She reported acute exposure to WTC dust on September 11 and returned to the same workplace 1 week later, where she continued working 40 hours a week. Her diagnosis came approximately 19 years after her initial WTC dust exposure.
How Many Firefighters From 9/11 Got Lung Cancer?
The World Trade Center Health Program’s March 2026 quarterly report noted that lung cancer was the eighth most common kind of cancer among enrolled 9/11 responders and survivors.
The report also notes that 1,890 people had lung cancer — 1,300 of those were survivors and 590 were first responders, like firefighters.
A JAMA Network Open study of WTC responders also identified 118 new lung cancer cases from 2012 through 2023, with the highest-exposed responders experiencing nearly 3 times the lung cancer incidence of those with lower exposure.
How Many 9/11 Firefighters Have Died of Cancer?
The FDNY World Trade Center Health Program released a 25-year retrospective report on September 1, 2026, that found more than 600 rescue and recovery workers have died from illnesses tied to WTC dust exposure. The figure represents people who were diagnosed with cancer and other conditions.
If you or someone you love was exposed to Ground Zero dust and is now managing a mesothelioma diagnosis, know that you’re not alone. Mesothelioma Hope can connect you with resources to help you learn about treatment options, financial support, and nationwide specialists.
Honor 9/11 Mesothelioma Victims This Anniversary
Spend the 25th anniversary of the WTC attacks by learning about how 9/11 asbestos exposure affects first responders who ran toward danger to help people, and those who lived close by. Understanding how long it can take for asbestos to cause mesothelioma could help you or your loved one get support after a diagnosis.
Mesothelioma Hope’s Patient Advocates may be able to help by:
- Connecting you with a mesothelioma specialist to get a second opinion
- Finding a mesothelioma lawyer who’s experienced in 9/11-related claims
- Exploring compensation through legal settlements, asbestos trust funds, and VA benefits
- Providing free guides and resources on mesothelioma symptoms and treatment
Get your free case review today or call (866) 608-8933 to speak with our compassionate team and learn more about your options.
