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Studies Show Long-Term Decreased Lung Function in Rescue Workers at Ground Zero

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If you suffer with asthma, emphysema or other breathing problems, then spare a thought for the men and women who were exposed to the dense cloud of smoke, concrete dust and fumes when the World Trade Center collapsed on 9/11. In particular the first responders were exposed to clouds of toxic and irritant fumes, not only from the building’s collapse but also from the diesel exhaust fumes generated by the rescue equipment.

Although everyone’s lung function declines with age, recently released studies show that the lung function of rescue workers at Ground Zero suddenly took a hit which equated overnight to the equivalent of 12 years of natural ageing. This conclusion was reached after the results of years of tests on 12,000 fire rescue workers at Ground Zero were compared to their same lung-function test results pre-9/11.

In the weeks and months following the rescue effort, the New York City (NYC) Fire Department’s rescue workers were closely monitored and all showed reduced lung function. Initial symptoms included wheezing, shortness of breath and a more palpable symptom nicknamed “World Trade Center cough”.

In a newly released report in the New England Journal of Medicine, studies show that these firefighters and medical personnel continued to have decreased lung function up to seven years later. The author of the study and chief medical officer of the NYC Fire Department confirms that “the drop in lung function that occurred in the first year was substantial, and for the first time we showed that this drop is persistent”.

The affected personnel continued to be monitored regularly to check their continued ability to exercise and perform their very physically demanding jobs. Smokers and ex-smokers among the group showed a slightly more noticeable decline than their non-smoking colleagues.

Lung function is measured using a spirometer, a common test which measures the rate, flow and amount of air a person’s lungs can move in and out. Spirometry testing is commonly used on those with a chronic cough or those with high risk factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It can be used to assess initially whether a patient has a shortness of breath and secondly, when results over a period of time are compared, it can measure whether the condition is worsening. When compared with “normal” values of a person of the same age, gender, race and height, the measurements can ascertain the severity of the problem.

The sad and surprising truth which was discovered on monitoring the 9/11 rescue workers was that once the lung function had declined, little or no improvement was seen over time.

This has brought about a number of consequences and conclusions. Firstly, those who inhaled the choking air at Ground Zero are now considered to be at a higher risk of suffering shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing, with a resulting question mark over their ability to continue in their physically demanding job. They are likely to continue to have impaired lung function at an earlier age than they would have been.

Their progress is being monitored not only by doctors but also by lawyers. Already group lawsuits have been brought against New York City by 10,000 police officers, construction workers and firefighters who claimed they have developed chronic conditions such as asthma from the Ground Zero dust.

In the meantime, as a result of the study, the NYC Fire Department is being far more pro-active in offering preventative treatment to veterans of Ground Zero, including vaccinations against flu, pneumonia and swine flu.