Health and environmental consequences of the world trade center disaster.

Abstract

The attack on the World Trade Center (WTC) created an acute environmental disaster of enormous magnitude. This study characterizes the environmental exposures resulting from destruction of the WTC and assesses their effects on health. Methods include ambient air sampling; analyses of outdoor and indoor settled dust; high-altitude imaging and modeling of the atmospheric plume; inhalation studies of WTC dust in mice; and clinical examinations, community surveys, and prospective epidemiologic studies of exposed populations. WTC dust was found to consist predominantly (95%) of coarse particles and contained pulverized cement, glass fibers, asbestos, lead, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polychlorinated furans and dioxins. Airborne particulate levels were highest immediately after the attack and declined thereafter. Particulate levels decreased sharply with distance from the WTC. Dust pH was highly alkaline (pH 9.0-11.0). Mice exposed to WTC dust showed only moderate pulmonary inflammation but marked bronchial hyperreactivity. Evaluation of 10,116 firefighters showed exposure-related increases in cough and bronchial hyperreactivity. Evaluation of 183 cleanup workers showed new-onset cough (33%), wheeze (18%), and phlegm production (24%). Increased frequency of new-onset cough, wheeze, and shortness of breath were also observed in community residents. Follow-up of 182 pregnant women who were either inside or near the WTC on 11 September showed a 2-fold increase in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants. In summary, environmental exposures after the WTC disaster were associated with significant adverse effects on health. The high alkalinity of WTC dust produced bronchial hyperreactivity, persistent cough, and increased risk of asthma. Plausible causes of the observed increase in SGA infants include maternal exposures to PAH and particulates. Future risk of mesothelioma may be increased, particularly among workers and volunteers exposed occupationally to asbestos. Continuing follow-up of all exposed populations is required to document the long-term consequences of the disaster.

Down-regulation of early ionotrophic glutamate receptor subunit developmental expression as a mechanism for observed plasticity deficits following gestational exposure to benzo(a)pyrene

“…(Grova et al, 2006;Hood et al, 2006;Chen et al, 2004;Wormley et al, 2004a;Wormley et al, 2004b;Guilarte andMcGlothan, 1998 andNihei andGuilarte, 1999). Down-regulation of this receptor leads to a sustained decrease in synaptic functioning at a time when excitatory synapses are formed for the first time.…”

“…Epidemiological studies have shown that unintended gestational exposure of the fetus to environmental contaminants, such as B(a)P, adversely affects fetal development, results in low birth weight and reduced head circumference that manifests as neurobehavioral deficits such as poorer outcome on selective aspects of cognitive and neuromotor functioning in offspring (Hack et al, 199;Perera et al, 2003;Landrigan et al, 2004). For example, in a sample of 263 nonsmoking inner-city African-American and Dominican women, the effects of gestational exposure to airborne PAHs on birth outcomes was monitored during pregnancy by personal air sampling in New York City.…”

DNA methylation profile of 28 potential marker loci in malignant mesothelioma

“…However, more than 2000 cases are still diagnosed annually and workers previously active in construction, railroads and shipyards will continue to be at risk for developing MM [4,6]. Recently, concerns were raised about asbestos exposure of New York residents and public servants such as firefighters, rescue workers, and recovery teams after the collapse of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 [7]. In the United Kingdom, the peak of mesothelioma deaths is expected to fall around 2020 [3].…”

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

“…In contrast with typical environmental source emissions, the time course of exposure for the emissions from within and around the 16-acre site of the WTC collapse (Ground Zero) had five distinct categories. Each category had different spatial and temporal scales, levels and types of gases and particles emitted, and exposure groups and activities (3,6,7). These have been described previously, and a synopsis of the 5 categories is found in Table 1 (3,6,7).…”

“…Negative acute health outcomes have already been documented for responders, and concerns have been raised about their long-term health outcomes. These findings have prevented WTC-exposed populations from achieving closure, thereby prolonging the recovery (3). If the nation is to minimize the potential for this happening in a future disaster, it must evaluate past inadequacies; establish credible, realistic exposure-response evaluations for the future; and develop effective prevention strategies, including when and where avoidance or respirator use is mandatory for the local community as well as responders.…”