Sen. Richard Blumenthal is proposing a federal registry for firefighters diagnosed with cancer as a part of a broader strategy to help sick firefighters and reduce the number of toxic elements they are exposed to.

He says firefighters have a higher rate of cancer because they are exposed to more cancer-causing agents than virtually any other professional group.

"This kind of registry and action by the federal government will help address the problem of making home safer for firefighters because when they run into burning buildings, they are exposed to the toxins, poisons and carcinogens that cause cancer at a higher rate. That's why federal action to establish this registry and other measures is appropriate to help them,” he said.