In the United States, thousands of workers exposed to toxic dust after the 2001 terror attacks in New York have accepted a legal settlement and ceased litigation.More than 10,000 firefighters, labourers and police who sued the city and dozens of companies will collect a total of at least $625 million. The workers said they were not properly protected during the rescue and clean-up efforts, with some of them falling ill. The settlement also provides insurance cover for certain blood and respiratory cancers contracted by the workers.