The Respiratory Aftermath of the 9/11 World Trade Center Terrorist Attack

Our brave rescuers who put their lives on the line to save thousands of people during the World Trade Center terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, are now suffering from lung disease –- some have already died. An estimated 10,000 Fire Department of New York (FDNY) personnel and an estimated 30,000 other dedicated workers, clean up crew and volunteers were exposed to environmental toxins.

Environmental Toxins at Ground Zero

Although investigators were able to confirm that the level of asbestos in air was “low and did not exceed health exposure guidelines”, many other caustic materials were found. The Center for Disease Control noted in its report titled, “Physical Health Status of World Trade Center Rescue and Recovery Workers and Volunteers --- New York City, July 2002--August 2004”:

“The destruction of the WTC towers resulted in the release of high levels of airborne contaminants. The Environmental Protection Agency estimated that potential dust exposures ranged from 1,000 µg/m3 to >100,000 µg/m3 in the hours after the towers' collapse. Exposures were attributed primarily to smoldering fires (until December 2001), dust resuspension, and diesel exhaust from heavy equipment. WTC dust contained pulverized (alkaline) cement, glass fibers, asbestos, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polychlorinated furans and dioxins.”

WTC Worker and Volunteer Medical Screening Program

In an attempt to address the potential health implications, the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to create the World Trade Center Worker and Volunteer Medical Screening Program. The WTC screening program provided free medical evaluations, clinical referrals and education about occupational health hazards.

Results of the WTC Screening Program

Health screenings for WTC workers and volunteers began on July 16, 2002 and continued until August 6, 2004. Nearly 12, 000 workers and volunteers (excluding the FDNY) were evaluated and found to have “new-onset or worsened preexisting lover and upper respiratory symptoms, with persistence of symptoms for months their WTC response work stopped.” (cdc.gov)

Lung Disease Increases Among WTC Workers

Two years later, cases of lung disease and death due to lung disease caused by the toxic dust at Ground Zero are being reported. Many investigators believe these lung disease cases are directly related to the exposure to the airborne contaminants the CDC concluded were present during the WTC attack and remained in the air for many days thereafter. See How Post WTC Lung Disease Develops.

Immediately following the WTC attack, workers and volunteers who were present at Ground Zero reported such symptoms as coughing, wheezing, and sore throat. Over the years, many WTC workers and volunteers discovered that these symptoms have developed into lung disease and in some cases, caused irreversible lung scarring and even death.

Ongoing Studies of Lung Disease Connection to WTC Attack

New York City officials believe it will take more than 20 years to determine whether exposure to the environmental hazards of the 9/11 WTC attack led to increased cases of lung disease among the survivors.

_{Sources: cdc.gov; sciencedaily.com; allheadlinenews.com
Updated: 05/13/06}