9/11 remembered: Emergency workers who became reluctant heroes

As the towers burned, they risked their own lives going into the buildings bringing people out – and in doing so, many paid the ultimate price. Some 343 firefighters and paramedics died when the towers collapsed, along with 60 police officers.

Those who survived did not just have the trauma of what they had seen to cope with – the attacks have left a legacy of ill-health that has, in some cases, wrecked lives.

The emergency services were the worst affected, being closest to the towers. When they came down, the clouds of dust sent billowing through Manhattan contained highly alkaline particles from the pulverised concrete along with asbestos and heavy metals including lead and mercury from the countless computers and lights.

According to official US Government figures, more than 18,000 emergency workers and residents who lived hear the World Trade Center are suffering from illnesses caused by the dust.

The most common problems are asthma and sinusitis, but more serious respiratory conditions have also been reported, as a result of severe scarring to the lungs. Other problems include intestinal pain, muscle weakness and memory loss.

In December last year, the US Government passed an act which authorises $4.7b (£2.9bn) for victims of illness caused by the dust.

Film-maker Jules Naudet caught rare footage of American Airlines flight 11 smashing into the north tower as he and brother Gedeon filmed a documentary on firefighters.

“Right after 9/11 we talked to some doctors who said, ‘In about seven to 10 years, that’s when we’ll start to see the effects’,” he said.

“This year we started seeing a lot more firefighters dying, including two we knew who were there on the day.

“They died of rare cancers you don’t normally get until you’re 70 or 80 and they were only 40 or 50.”