Medical Evaluation of Louisiana Fire Fighters After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: A Pilot Study

Details

• Personal Author:
  Moline J
• Description:
  Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast in August and September 2005. Many fire fighters had significant exposure to floodwater, mold, combustion products, metals, sewage, human remains and toxic chemicals. These exposures were likely to be a significant hazard to responders particularly immediately after the disaster. A pilot health surveillance system was established based on the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program's monitoring examinations for WTC rescue and recovery workers and an earlier surveillance of Katrina/Rita fire fighters. Examinations included an extensive health history (physical and mental health) and symptom review questionnaire, complete physical examination, laboratory testing, pulmonary function testing, and chest x-rays. Recruitment of fire fighters took place from 2011- 2013 in New Orleans and surrounding parishes. An electronic consent and questionnaire was developed and used to give the fire fighters a secure and HI PAA-compliant means of divulging their personal information with researchers. One-hundred forty-three fire fighters expressed interested in participating in the study. Seventy-one fire fighters completed the on line consent and completed the questionnaire; 53 of those fire fighters also completed all components of their medical exam. Of those who participated in the program, there were substantial increases in symptoms of upper and lower airway complaints that persisted after work following Hurricane Katrina and Rita. Sixty-five percent of fire fighters reported having upper respiratory symptoms, 31% reported lower respiratory symptoms, 37% reported cough, and 23% reported skin irritation during and/or after the Hurricane Katrina rescue period. Respiratory symptoms increased with length of exposure to flood water. Fire fighters with greater than 72 hours of floodwater exposure were more likely to have lower respiratory symptoms [PR=l.7 (0.9-3.2 95% Cl)] and shortness of breath [PR=3.1 (1.0-9.5 Cl)]. No association was noted with floodwater duration and upper respiratory symptoms or skin irritations. Mental health symptoms were also persistent, including increased rates of anxiety, irritability, difficulty concentration, hyperarousal, flashbacks, and sleep disturbances. Recruitment efforts were limited severely by a number of factors. Up to 75% of the active workforce of New Orleans and surrounding parish fire fighters were not part of the Hurricanes Katrina or Rita rescue/recovery efforts and therefore were not eligible to participate. Many fire fighters who participated in the rescue/recovery effort have since retired or left the force, and state legislation prevented retirees from being contacted by their union (our only means of contact with retirees). In summary, there was an increase in physical and mental health symptoms post-Hurricane Katrina among the fire fighter participants. Ongoing mental health care support programs for disaster responders are recommended, as well as confidential medical evaluations. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Cyclonic Storms Emergency Responders Firefighters Mental Health Nervous System Occupational Health Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety
• Keywords:
  Fire Fighters First Responders Floods Health Effects Hurricanes Mental Health Natural Disasters Respiratory Diseases Surveillance Programs
• Series:
  Grant Final Reports
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Final Grant Report
• Place as Subject:
  New York ; OSHA Region 2
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  OEP - Office of Extramural Programs
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-25
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20055727
• NTIS Accession Number:
  PB2019-101101
• Citation:
  Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, H75-OH-009824, 2014 Jan; :1-25
• Contact Point Address:
  Jacqueline Moline, MD, MSc, FACP, FACOEM, North Shore-LIJ Physician And Ambulatory Network Services, 175 Community Drive, Suite 201, Great Neck, NY 11021
• Email:
  JMoline@nshs.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2014
• NORA Priority Area:
  Services ; Public Safety
• Performing Organization:
  Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20090901
• Source Full Name:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• End Date:
  20130831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:81f853f72020b257c4a537136b6807ce62b36341612918a515d6d5e8c92a48a5b349e2192d9b34c682951a3c1a816c0c0f1657ef318e3be4df7d6bd6b17821d7
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/218865/cdc_218865_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 739.61 KB ]