Assessing the Impact of World Trade Center (WTC) Exposures on Post-Bronchodilator Lung Function: Insights from WTC Survivor Population

Details

• Journal Article:
  PLoS One
• Personal Author:
  Wang, Ziyue ; Ge, Jiacheng ; Wang, Yuyan ; Siu, Katherine ; Goldring, Roberta M. ; Oppenheimer, Beno ; Shao, Yongzhao ; Reibman, Joan ; Liu, Mengling
• Description:
  Objectives: To assess the effects of World Trade Center (WTC) exposures, obesity, and smoking on post-bronchodilator (post-BD) lung function in WTC Survivors. Methods: Data included 5,243 participants enrolled in WTC Environmental Health Center (WTC EHC) program between 2005 and 2022. WTC-related exposures included dust-cloud exposure and occupational/residential roles. Lung function included post-BD spirometry (FEV1, FVC) and impulse oscillometry (R5, R20, AX). Multivariable linear and quantile regressions assessed associations with WTC exposures, BMI, and smoking, adjusting for demographics. Results: Dust-cloud exposure and Worker status were associated with elevated AX, R5, and R20, indicating small airway dysfunction. Spirometry showed minimal impact from dust exposure, though Workers had lower FEV1 and FVC than Residents. Obesity and smoking were consistently linked to poorer lung function, with effect sizes surpassing WTC exposure. No significant interactions were found between BMI and WTC exposures. Conclusions: WTC exposures are associated with small airway dysfunction, especially in Workers. Obesity and smoking independently worsen lung function, underscoring the importance of both environmental and physiological risk factors in disaster-exposed populations. Post-BD oscillometry adds critical sensitivity in detecting injury to small airways.
• Subjects:
  Dust Emergency Responders Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Respiratory System Safety September 11 Terrorist Attacks
• Keywords:
  World Trade Center; WTC; First responders; Occupational exposure; Environmental exposure; Lung function; Obesity; Cigarette smoking; Spirometry; Dust exposure
• Source:
  PLoS One 2026 Mar; 21(3):e0344458
• ISSN:
  1932-6203
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant ; Cooperative Agreement ; Contract
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  New York ; New York City Region [OSHA]
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  16 pdf pages
• Volume:
  21
• Issue:
  3
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20071496
• Contact Point Address:
  Mengling Liu, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
• Email:
  Mengling.Liu@nyulangone.org
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2026
• Performing Organization:
  New York University School of Medicine
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20250701
• End Date:
  20270630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:25b9405d0d744cd77951949f5062dedfefefc2db2eeb8cb25238c7512fe12fad62b2d01677742a7bcf1485855a50fc55f908de6146ace676980f9b6c2bf135f1
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/259094/cdc_259094_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.07 MB ]