NEW YORK — A new study into EMS workers who responded to 9/11 shows a high level of digestive problems, depression and chronic conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and acid reflux.
The study by researcher Dr. Mayris Webber was conducted as Congress decides whether to extend the Zadroga Act, which funds health care for 9/11 responders. The first part of the act expires in October.
Research shows one in eight EMS workers who responded to the World Trade Center attacks may be suffering from digestive problems, WNYC.org reports. Webber said the most suprising result was the high prevelence of depression, at nearly 17 percent.
“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,” Webber said.