Self-Reported Chronic Rhinosinusitis Diagnoses and Symptoms in World Trade Center-Exposed and Non-World Trade Center-Exposed United States Firefighters

Details

• Journal Article:
  Preventive Medicine
• Personal Author:
  Singh, Ankura ; Zeig-Owens, Rachel ; Webber, Mayris P. ; Mueller, Alexandra K. ; Prezant, David J.
• Description:
  Background: Greater World Trade Center (WTC) exposure levels have been associated with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) diagnoses and symptoms. We aimed to determine whether self-reported CRS is elevated in WTC-exposed Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) firefighters when compared with non-WTC-exposed/non-FDNY firefighters and with the general population. Methods: The study included male WTC-exposed (N = 7840) and non-WTC-exposed (N = 2771) firefighters who were employed on 9/11/2001 and later completed a health survey. Self-reported CRS diagnoses and symptoms were evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression analyses estimated the odds of self-reported ever CRS diagnosis and current symptoms in WTC-exposed vs. non-WTC-exposed firefighters. Additional analyses compared self-reported current CRS diagnoses in firefighters vs. American males. Models were adjusted for demographics, smoking, and BMI. Results: Fifty-one percent of WTC-exposed firefighters reported ever having a CRS diagnosis vs. 20 % of non-WTC-exposed firefighters (adjusted-OR = 3.84, 95 % CI = 3.44-4.28). WTC-exposure was also associated with specific rhinosinusitis symptoms, including nasal/sinus congestion (adjusted-OR = 1.17, 95 % CI = 1.06-1.29), nose irritation (adjusted-OR = 1.48, 95 % CI = 1.24-1.76), and sinus pain/pressure (adjusted-OR = 1.42, 95 % CI = 1.26-1.60). Both WTC-exposed (adjusted-OR = 3.84, 95 % CI = 3.46-4.27) and non-WTC-exposed firefighters (adjusted-OR = 1.97, 95 % CI = 1.71-2.27) were more likely to report a current CRS diagnosis than similar adult males. Conclusions: WTC-exposure was associated with self-reported CRS diagnoses and symptoms in firefighters. Higher CRS diagnosis prevalence in the WTC-exposed cohort could be a result of exposure to irritants present at the WTC site, and may also be explained, in part, by the enhanced surveillance and healthcare WTC-exposed firefighters receive via the WTC Health Program. Elevated levels of CRS in firefighters overall could be due to routine, non-WTC-related firefighting exposures.
• Subjects:
  Firefighters Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Safety September 11 Terrorist Attacks
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Occupational Exposure; Firefighters; World Trade Center; Rhinosinusitis; Cohort Studies World Trade Center; WTC; Emergency Responders; Fire Fighters; Cohort Studies; Occupational Exposure; Respiratory Irritants; Nasal Disorders; Health Programs;
• Source:
  Prev Med 2025 Feb; 191:108216
• ISSN:
  0091-7435
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  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:
  6 pdf pages
• Volume:
  191
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20071527
• Contact Point Address:
  Rachel Zeig-Owens, Fire Department of the City of New York, 9 Metrotech Center, 1PP 11E03, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
• Email:
  Rachel.Zeig-Owens@fdny.nyc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2025
• Performing Organization:
  Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20160901
• End Date:
  20210831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:7a37536ff578110d8b5d74125a4afd36c80237adda6b02979ecef781d893a37541591e5c499b65392f29385e0c1142d13e7199f00522aaa20106e5c2107884a4
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/259123/cdc_259123_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 747.53 KB ]