ATSDR/DHAC_ASTM

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Because levels of asbestos, SVF, and some crystalline minerals are elevated in the settled surface dust of some buildings in lower Manhattan, individuals may be exposed to those materials in their homes, out of doors, or at work either by direct contact or by inhalation when the dust is disturbed and suspended in the air. Depending on the environment, one or all of these materials may be present in the dust of an area.

I. Sensitive Populations

Sensitive populations are individuals who may experience greater responses when exposed to a material than normally predicted. This sensitivity may be due to life stage, pre-existing medical or exposure conditions, or genetic susceptibility.

Children are considered a sensitive population for several reasons. The first consideration is the potential for greater exposure than adults. With a lower body weight, and higher relative ventilation rate, children have higher doses than adults given exposure to the same levels of materials in air, food, or drinking water. For biopersistent materials, such as some of the minerals discussed previously, childhood exposures present a greater lifetime risk due to longer residence time in the lung. This is demonstrated for asbestos where an exposure with onset at l-year old presents a greater risk than an exposure at age 18(10). Finally, because they are shorter than adults, children breathe air that is closer to the ground, and they may play in contaminated areas, creating situations where they are impacted more by materials in soil or dust.

Children and adults with pre-existing medical conditions may be more susceptible. Many of the materials found in the areas sampled have irritant effects on skin, mucous membranes, and the respiratory tract. Individuals with pre-existing allergic and cardiopulmonary diseases may be more sensitive to the effects of exposure to this dust. One of the most clinically important and frequent responses of the airways to dust and irritant exposures is bronchoconstriction. Therefore, individuals with pre-existing asthma are much more likely to develop bronchoconstriction in response to exposure to dust particles, fibers, and irritants.

Obstructive lung disease and other respiratory and cardiopulmonary disorders are factors for increased sensitivity. Any individuals in lower Manhattan who received a large dose of dust during or immediately following the WTC collapse may also be more sensitive. Anyone who has been experiencing respiratory symptoms since the collapse should consult their physician for proper treatment.

Individuals who smoke are at greater risk. Smoking can reduce lung function and may cause pulmonary disease that would make individuals more sensitive. Additionally, smoking has been shown to synergistically increase the risk of developing lung cancer from asbestos exposures. Smoking also increases the risk of developing lung cancer in workers exposed to crystalline silica (e.g., quartz).

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