Scary statistic about Ground Zero workers

The tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001 are still threatening lives.

The Mount Sinai Hospital's World Trade Center Health Program reports more than 2,500 rescuers and responders have been diagnosed with cancer - that's a significant bump from last year's 1,140 cases.

Scientists say the workers get cancer at a significantly higher rate than the rest of the population and studies suggest they also have increased rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, asthma and other respiratory disorders.

The cancer is believed to be caused by the toxic debris that resulted from the collapse of the Twin Towers.

This is a smoke plume coming from the World Trade Center site seen on a weather radar. Air pollution experts say the dust that floated around for months after the attack was "wildly toxic" and carried more than 2,500 contaminants.

The Victim Compensation Fund is expected to receive more claims by the Oct. 14 deadline. As of June 30, it lists some 1,150 with more than 800 eligible for compensation.