Asthma

It has been almost 5 years since the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center in NYC. In a scientific report published in Environmental Health Perspectives, researchers have noted that almost 70 percent of rescue personnel and workers, who were at ground zero in response to emergency calls, suffer from lung problems. Most were exposed between Sept 11 and Sept 13. About 40,000 rescue and recovery workers including firefighters, police officers and construction and public-sector workers were exposed to the caustic dust and toxic pollutants after the attacks. Medical examinations of more than 9,000 responders were carried out between July 2002 and April 2004. Their Pulmonary-function tests revealed that they had twice the rate of abnormalities than the general population. WTC dusts are known to contain heavy metals such as nickel; titanium and cadmium. Some of these metals are the same that are found in cigarette smoke. In addition to a toxic effect, the dust also contained very small particles. Small particles can enter the lungs and cause inflammation and fibrosis. Of responders treated, 84 percent had upper-respiratory illness; 47 percent had lower-respiratory disorders such as asthma, 37 percent had psychological disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder; and 31 percent had musculoskeletal problems. The report underscores the need to keep monitoring and treating World Trade Center responders. Additionally, it may serve as a guideline for preventing respiratory illness in emergency personnel who may be called upon to deal with future catastrophes.