Details:

Alternative Title:
Environ Health Perspect
Publisher's site:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.9592
Personal Author:
Herbert, Robin ; Moline, Jacqueline ; Skloot, Gwen ; Metzger, Kristina ; Baron, Sherry ; ... More +
Herbert, Robin ; Moline, Jacqueline ; Skloot, Gwen ; Metzger, Kristina ; Baron, Sherry ; Luft, Benjamin ; Markowitz, Steven ; Udasin, Iris ; Harrison, Denise ; Stein, Diane ; Todd, Andrew ; Enright, Paul ; Stellman, Jeanne Mager ; Landrigan, Philip J. ; Levin, Stephen M. Less -
Description:
Background

Approximately 40,000 rescue and recovery workers were exposed to caustic dust and toxic pollutants following the 11 September 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC). These workers included traditional first responders, such as firefighters and police, and a diverse population of construction, utility, and public sector workers.

Methods

To characterize WTC-related health effects, the WTC Worker and Volunteer Medical Screening Program was established. This multicenter clinical program provides free standardized examinations to responders. Examinations include medical, mental health, and exposure assessment questionnaires; physical examinations; spirometry; and chest X rays.

Results

Of 9,442 responders examined between July 2002 and April 2004, 69% reported new or worsened respiratory symptoms while performing WTC work. Symptoms persisted to the time of examination in 59% of these workers. Among those who had been asymptomatic before September 11, 61% developed respiratory symptoms while performing WTC work. Twenty-eight percent had abnormal spirometry; forced vital capacity (FVC) was low in 21%; and obstruction was present in 5%. Among nonsmokers, 27% had abnormal spirometry compared with 13% in the general U.S. population. Prevalence of low FVC among nonsmokers was 5-fold greater than in the U.S. population (20% vs. 4%). Respiratory symptoms and spirometry abnormalities were significantly associated with early arrival at the site.

Conclusion

WTC responders had exposure-related increases in respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function test abnormalities that persisted up to 2.5 years after the attacks. Long-term medical monitoring is required to track persistence of these abnormalities and identify late effects, including possible malignancies. Lessons learned should guide future responses to civil disasters.


Subject:
[+]
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 And Over
Air Pollution
Dust
Female
Humans
Male
Mass Screening
Middle Aged
Occupational Diseases
Occupational Exposure
Respiratory Tract Diseases
September 11 Terrorist Attacks
Spirometry
Time Factors

Source:
Environ Health Perspect. 2006; 114(12):1853-1858
Pubmed ID:
17185275
Pubmed Central ID:
PMC1764159
Document Type:
Journal Article
Funding:
5U10 OH008232/OH/NIOSH CDC HHSUnited States/
Name as Subject:
World Trade Center
Collection(s):
CDC Public Access
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:9297c1c026a3104e61c2dbd8da699b114b6edc096f9d9722643c3893298e47ea
File Type:

Supporting Files

• ehp0114-001853.nxml

  xml

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