E-Mails Hotline M. Gilsenan

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

A. Health Effects

• What is the DOH doing to protect residents’ health? (Some people report that they have asthma as a result of the air, as well as other symptoms. While symptoms have decreased over the past few months, there remain concerns about coughs, upper respiratory stress, etc.)

The DOH along with DEP and several other government agencies are performing a number of tasks including the review of air quality data, assessing and mitigating risks caused by asbestos containing material, enforcing the Commissioner’s Order to ensure that all debris loaded into trucks at the site are wetted down and covered with tarps, and conducting extensive community outreach and education.

Particulate matter and sulfur oxides in the air may cause temporary airway irritation. The composition of these particles may be alkaline which produce respiratory irritation. To date there is no evidence that these symptoms will result in long term health problems. If you think you are having health effects related to the air quality in your environment, please address these health concerns with your physician.

• When will the registry be established? Will it study the health effects from environmental exposures?

The Department has been working to establish a registry for various populations affected by the WTC collapse. The specific design and function of this registry are still being developed. Ultimately it will serve as a database from which researchers can study the health effects of the WTC collapse and the aftermath.

• A local physician testified that he has seen patients who are residents that living near the WTC with significant health effects (upper respiratory stress, asthma, etc.)- What does that mean for other nearby residents downwind from the site?

The illness observed by this physician in some of his patients cannot necessarily be linked to exposure to WTC without information on how and where these individuals were exposed. Illnesses were observed in the rescue workers and others who were near WTC on 9/11 and immediately there after. However, the air data collected by EPA and other agencies since that period indicate that for the general public, significant health effects are unlikely. Just like some people have allergies; there may be more

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