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(KSL News) -- Federal funds could help sick police officers from Utah if Attorney General Mark Shurtleff gets his way.
Last April, an Eyewitness News investigation exposed the problem: More than 80- Utah officers who encountered dangerous chemicals inside meth- labs are now sick, dying or dead.
A few weeks ago, Utah legislators set aside a half- million dollars to study the link between the chemicals and officers' illnesses.
Attorney General Mark Shurtleff says the state funds are a start, but says he'll pursue federal money as well.
Mark Shurtleff, Attorney General of Utah: "With this, if we start seeing some evidence, we'll be able to get more money federally and answer that question for our first responders."
Utah officers who began investigating meth labs in the 1980's now have liver, kidney and esophageal cancers, strokes, and other health problems.
