Abnormalities on Chest Computed Tomography and Lung Function Following an Intense Dust Exposure: A 17-Year Longitudinal Study

Details

• Personal Author:
  Cohen HW ; Fazzari MJ ; Hall CB ; Liu C ; Prezant DJ ; Putman B ; Schwartz T ; Singh A ; Webber MP ; Weiden MD ; Zeig-Owens R
• Description:
  Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) firefighters experienced intense dust exposure working at the World Trade Center (WTC) site on and after 11/9/2001 (9/11). We hypothesized that high-intensity WTC exposure caused abnormalities found on chest computed tomography (CT). Between 11/9/2001-10/9/2018, 4277 firefighters underwent a clinically-indicated chest CT. Spirometric measurements and symptoms were recorded during routine medical examinations. High-intensity exposure, defined as initial arrival at the WTC on the morning of 9/11, increased the risk of bronchial wall thickening, emphysema, and air trapping. Early post-9/11 symptoms of wheeze and shortness of breath were associated with bronchial wall thickening, emphysema, and air trapping. The risk of accelerated forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) decline (>64 mL/year decline) increased with bronchial wall thickening and emphysema, but decreased with air trapping. The risk of airflow obstruction also increased with bronchial wall thickening and emphysema but decreased with air trapping. In a previously healthy occupational cohort, high-intensity WTC exposure increased the risk for CT abnormalities. Bronchial wall thickening and emphysema were associated with respiratory symptoms, accelerated FEV1 decline, and airflow obstruction. Air trapping was associated with respiratory symptoms, although lung function was preserved. Physiologic differences between CT abnormalities suggest that distinct types of airway injury may result from a common exposure. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Air Movements Dust Environmental Exposure Epidemiology Firefighters Health Care Facilities Workforce And Services Lung Lung Diseases Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Radiography Respiratory Function Tests Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety September 11 Terrorist Attacks

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• Keywords:
  Air Flow Airway Obstruction Author Keywords: Medical Imaging Chest X-rays Dust Exposure Epidemiological Studies Exposure Levels Fire Fighters Humans Imaging Techniques Lung Disorders Lung Injury Medical Equipment Medical Examinations Occupational Exposure Pulmonary Effects Pulmonary Function Pulmonary Function Tests Pulmonary System Disorders Respiratory System Disorders Risk Factors Spirometry World Trade Center WTC X-ray Analysis

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• ISSN:
  1660-4601
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement ; Contract
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  New York ; OSHA Region 2
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  16
• Issue:
  9
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20055811
• Citation:
  Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019 May; 16(9):1655
• Contact Point Address:
  Michael D. Weiden, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Division, Department of Medicine and Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
• Email:
  Michael.Weiden@nyulangone.org
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2019
• Performing Organization:
  New York University School of Medicine
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20160901
• Source Full Name:
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• End Date:
  20190831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:ec7d600116eac91f8e5e1e8442428a6aee6904e5c8d8f0e726808b0106a8d066fceb161ca972a5a8cb52870a19b3b9a230bf8d56725fe5ef8823ab2abc37f69c
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/213579/cdc_213579_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 839.91 KB ]