October 1, 2004—Nearly half of more than 1,000 screened rescue and recovery workers and volunteers who responded to the World Trade Center attacks have new and persistent respiratory problems, and more than half have persistent psychological symptoms, according to preliminary data from a medical screening program funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and administered by the Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City.
The findings released September 9 in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report are based on evaluation of data from 1,138 participants (91% were men and the median age was 41) who voluntarily enrolled in the World Trade Center Worker and Volunteer Medical Screening Program.
Through August 2004, the screening program has provided free standardized medical assessments, clinical referrals, and occupational health education to nearly 12,000 workers and volunteers exposed to environmental contaminants, psychological stressors, and physical hazards.
Only 21% of the workers and volunteers participating in the screening program, most of whom were police officers and utility and construction workers (Fire Department of New York personnel are covered by other programs), had appropriate respiratory protection September 11-14, 2001. During that period, exposures to dust, diesel exhaust, pulverized cement, glass fibers, asbestos, and other airborne contaminants were considered to be greatest.
Of the 1,138 screened workers and volunteers whose responses were analyzed for these reports, 51% met the pre-determined criteria for risk of mental health problems. The responses also indicated that the participants’ risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was four times the rate of PTSD in the general male population.
Besides respiratory and mental health effects, program participants also reported lower back and upper or lower extremity pain, heartburn, eye irritation, and frequent headache.
CDC has provided $81 million to continue the medical screening for these responders for 5 years. When the screening indicates need for treatment, the WTC Health Effects Treatment Program at Mount Sinai Medical Center, established through philanthropic sources, provides additional clinical evaluation and treatment at no cost to participants.
NIOSH has accelerated efforts to protect emergency responders from health and safety hazards in responding to terrorist incidents. NIOSH issued new criteria for testing and certifying respirators used by emergency responders against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear exposures. NIOSH also is partnering with responders, emergency response agencies, manufacturers, and other federal agencies to improve respirators and other personal protective equipment, improve training and education for responders, and improve safety management at disaster sites.
For more information see NIOSH’s Guidance Document: Protecting Emergency Responders.
