Cough and Bronchial Responsiveness in Firefighters at the World Trade Center Site

Abstract

Intense, short-term exposure to materials generated during the collapse of the World Trade Center was associated with bronchial responsiveness and the development of cough. Clinical and physiological severity was related to the intensity of exposure.

The World Trade Center Aftermath and Its Effects on Health: Understanding and Learning Through Human-Exposure Science

“…The lack of a clear characterization of the patterns of contact with gaseous and particle species and the patterns of dust deposited after the attack made it difficult to understand the variability in human exposure, with and without respirator use, to substances released during each exposurecategory period. (26)(27)(28). Each focused on a particular period of post-9/11 exposure and attempted to characterize the contact in space and time in combination with human-health effects.…”

“…Each focused on a particular period of post-9/11 exposure and attempted to characterize the contact in space and time in combination with human-health effects. For FDNY workers, the time of their arrival at Ground Zero was coupled with the duration of their rescue activities to estimate exposures (26). In the WTC Health Registry study, an individual's location during the first few hours after the event was used to determine his or her level of acute exposure (28).…”

“…Large, supercoarse particles consistent with WTC dust were obtained from bronchoscopic lavage (20, 32) and induced sputum of FDNY rescue workers. In the first 6 months, 332 firefighters required extensive medical leave for "WTC cough" (26). Five years later, >3000 FDNY firefighters have been treated for respiratory disease and >600 (~5% of the exposed workforce) have qualified for permanent respiratory disability benefits (3-5× the pre-9/11 rate).…”

“…More than 25% of those tested who sustained high exposure during Category 1 or 2 exposure periods had demonstrable airway hyperactivity (26,34) that persisted for at least 2 yr, consistent with asthma or RADS (35). Respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function decline, and airway hyperactivity correlated with Unfortunately, the supercoarse particles are not measured by outdoor monitors, and the amount of supercoarse particles that were aerosolized on 9/11 cannot be quantified.…”

Persistent organic pollutants in 9/11 world trade center rescue workers: Reduction following detoxification

“…Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use was inconsistent 1 , contaminant exposure occurred in a number of ways including absorption and inhalation. Many of the rescue workers developed persistent coughs, headaches, memory disturbance and other symptoms while working on the site 2 . USEPA measurements of benzene, dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were elevated in the air in the weeks after the collapse 3 .…”