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(KSL News) -- There has been a major development in an Eyewitness News Investigation.
It's one hundreds of Utah police officers have been watching very closely because of illnesses, death rates and exposure to chemicals from meth labs.
KSL's Debbie Dujanovic first uncovered the possible health link.
Today, the State of Utah took a step to help police officers solve a medical mystery: Did meth lab investigations - and toxic chemicals inside - cause their cancers, strokes, breathing problems -- or worse?
Two narcotics officers, both in their 30's, died this summer wondering. After our stories, dozens filed claims for worker's compensation benefits. But here's the catch: They can't get compensated because there's no scientific proof of a link. .
Eyewitness News was there today, when state leaders signed a contract for a groundbreaking medical study into this issue. The University of Utah's Rocky Mountain Research Center was awarding a half-million dollar contract to
Dr. Kurt Hegmann/Director, University of Utah Rocky Mountain Center, "I think there are critical questions that have been raised about their risk for cancers and other outcomes and I think police officers and firefighters need to have it addressed."
After our investigation broke last year, Utah lawmaker Joe Murray convinced lawmakers to fund the study.
Doctors say over the next 2-years, they'll review data, medical and death records, to see if there's a connection. If they find one, police and firefighters who get sick from meth labs, would get their medical bills covered.
