NYT Article on Ground Zero Health Study, Oct 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

I New study shows many Ground Zero workers face serious illness tPf MICHAEL CLANCY an^ew/ork Staff Writer

A new medical report released yes­ terday details scfious health conse­ quences for rescue workers and babies bom to expectant mothers who were exp«,»sed to airborne smoke, dust and chemicals released at Ground Zero. The National Institute of Health study found a two-fold increase in low birth weights among babies born to pregnant women who were either in or around the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. It also found that one-quarter of rescue workers at Ground Zero suf­ fered from “World Trade Center cough” and “profound adverse effects on respiratory health.” “The collapse of the towers gener­ ated thousands of tons of particulate matter comprised of cement dust, glass fibers, asirestos, lead . . . many of which significantly increased rhe subjects’ susceptibility to bronchia! spasms and asthma” said the study’s chief author, Dt. Philip l^ndrigan, chair of the environmental medicine A rmrt released yesterday found that one out of four rescue workers who were exposed the longesf to the intense smoke. Oust and program at Mount Sinai School of chemicals from the collapse of the Woes Trade Center are now suffering from profound respiratory pnttems. Medicine. Landrigan said; “These respirato­ chrorric bronchial ODITIOiai COiCEiMS: The research . Residents who live within a one- ry effects were most pronounced in spa.ms that arc found, that preg­ mtlc-radius of the World Trade subjects vrfio were in or around the triggered by ’ Dtjlmonary df.sease persist nant women who Center site also reported that they WTC building during the first 12 commonplace In9/11 workers exposed to tlurt? were inside the had more breathing problems than hours of the disaster.” pollutants such * WW instances of mesothelotnia, towers or lived people who lived in other areas. Rescue workers examined 2 1/2 as cigarette ® type of cottier related to within a 10- The study expressed concerns years after the attack had increased smoke or car asbestos expoaire, increase? block radius had about the health consequences of instances of coughs, wheezing, exhaust. • Will exposure to toxins increase smaller babies, asbestos exposure, noting hundreds shortness of breath, and hyper-sensi­ Mice exposed risk of twicer, coal a to, .jkI other but ruled out of tons of it were blasted free when tive bronchial tubes directly related to the dust suf- chronic disease? post-traumatic the North Tower fell. to the intensity and duration of their fcred the same • Will bab.as bom low birth stress disorder as For a copy of the NIH’s “Health exposure. More than 30% of fire­ type of bronchial w«gM suffer long-temj ptWems? a factor and said and Environmental Consequences fighters who had ar least moderate ailments, the Source: National Institute of HeaWi it was caused by of the WTC Disaster," check exposure at Ground Zero suffer from .study found. air pollutants. http://ehp.nichs.nih.gov

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