Emerging exposures and respiratory health: World Trade Center dust

William N. Rom, Joan Reibman, Linda Rogers, Michael D. Weiden, Beno Oppenheimer, Kenneth Berger, Roberta Goldring, Denise Harrison, David Prezant

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

The attack on the World Trade Center (WTC) on 9/11/2001 produced a massive dust cloud with acute exposure, and the rubble pile burning over 3 months exposedmore than 300,000 residents, rescue workers, and clean-up workers. Firefighters in the New York City Fire Department had significant respiratory symptoms characterized by cough, dyspnea, gastroesophageal reflux, and nasal stuffiness with a significant 1-year decline in FVC and FEV1. Bronchial hyperreactivity measured by methacholine challenge correlated with bronchial wall thickening on CT scans. Compared with the NHANES III data for FVC and FEV1, 32% of 2,000 WTC dust-exposed residents and cleanup workers were below the lower 5th percentile. The most common abnormality was a low FVC pattern, a finding similar to that also described for individuals in rescue and recovery activities. Among those complaining of respiratory symptoms and normal spirometry, almost half had abnormalities detected with impedance oscillometry consistent with distal airways' disease. Follow-up with the WTC Health Registry and the WTC Environmental Health Center will help discern whether treatment with anti-inflammatory medications or bronchodilators in those with respiratory symptoms may prevent the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)142-145
Number of pages4
JournalProceedings of the American Thoracic Society
Volume7
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2010

Keywords

  • Distal airway
  • World Trade Center dust

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

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