NEW YORK – According to Bnonews.com, 55-year-old Detective Stephen Mullen died last Friday, December 7, 2018, from cancer that was caused by exposure to toxic particles at Ground Zero. Mullen responded to the scene of the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001, and later was diagnosed with cancer.
Mullen was a volunteer at the scene and spent two days working in the area. Last summer the detective received a diagnosis of salivary cancer. The cancer had spread to Mullen’s brain. The Suffolk County Police Department states that the disease was linked to the exposure to toxic particles at the site of the terror attack.
When the Twin Towers collapsed, the debris and dust that filled the air led to health problems in thousands of individuals who were in Lower Manhattan at the time of the attacks and in the following days and weeks.
Reports indicate that hundreds of people have died because of 9/11 related diseases and that there are about 10,000 more people suffering from illnesses caused by the exposure. The number of deaths is likely to continue to rise in the coming years.
Mullen worked with the First Precinct for his whole career. The detective was honored 25 times by the department. Mullen had two sons with his wife, Patricia.
More first responders and others who were exposed to the toxic dust after 9/11 will become ill, and these people will need access to resources. The 9/11 Victim’s Compensation Fund was slated to expire, but it has now been extended. This is fortunate because many young people returned to Manhattan when the air was still dangerous. The disturbing truth is that we may see 9/11 victims for many years to come.
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