Office of Primary Care and Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program

Brian Cunniff, Ph.D., assistant professor of pathology and laboratory medicine

(SEPTEMBER 11, 2024) Brian Cunniff, Ph.D., assistant professor of pathology and laboratory medicine, spoke with WCAX-TV about the long-term health effects of 9/11 on first responders.

When the Twin Towers fell in New York City 23 years ago on September 11, first responders braved the rubble for rescue and recovery missions. Today, they are getting sick and dying at alarming rates from their exposure on that infamous day.

“More people have died from the exposure to the toxic chemicals released during 9/11 than actually did during the attacks,” Cunniff said. “The unfortunate events of 9/11 led to the distribution of around 2,000 tons of asbestos fibers,” he said.

Right now, Cunniff is developing a drug to treat a rare form of cancer, mesothelioma, which is associated with asbestos exposure.