Former CNN videographer Michael Gittelman has died from cancer caused by exposure to hazardous materials while covering the 9/11 terrorist attacks and their aftermath, reports Westwood One.

Gittelman was on the ground covering the story on Sept. 11, 2001 and the days and weeks that followed, which caused him to be exposed to a myriad of debris, toxic particles and chemicals.

He, like many other first responders and others who were in the thick of Ground Zero, developed cancer connected to his exposure to the site.

Gittelman most recently worked from i24News, who paid tribute to him on air.