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Asthma Hits 9/11 Rescuers at 12 Times Normal Rate

Rates highest for those who arrived first, worked longest and didn't wear masks

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 29, 2007 5:05 AM CDT

(Newser) – Ground Zero rescue and cleanup workers are developing asthma at 12 times the normal rate, a New York City health report has found. Among 25,000 workers interviewed, 3.6% of them—926 firefighters, police officers, construction workers and volunteers—have been diagnosed with the respiratory illness since 2001. The normal rate would be 77 people.

Those who arrived in the first days after the attack, worked in the area for over 90 days, or didn't wear masks were much more likely to develop the disease. “These findings reflect the critical importance of getting appropriate respiratory protection to all workers as quickly as possible during a disaster," said the city's health commissioner.

USA. New York City. September 11, 2001. Rescue workers clean off on the West Side Highway. The 47-story Seven World Trade Center is seen surrounded by smoke in the center.
USA. New York City. September 11, 2001. Rescue workers clean off on the West Side Highway. The 47-story Seven World Trade Center is seen surrounded by smoke in the center.   (Magnum Photos)
Director Michael Moore poses for a portrait Oct. 9, 2002, in Los Angeles. Academy Award-winning filmmaker Moore is under investigation by the U.S. Treasury Department for taking ailing Sept. 11 rescue workers to Cuba for a segment in his upcoming health-care documentary Sicko, The Associated Press has learned. (AP...
Director Michael Moore poses for a portrait Oct. 9, 2002, in Los Angeles. Academy Award-winning filmmaker Moore is under investigation by the U.S. Treasury Department for taking ailing Sept. 11 rescue...   (Associated Press)
USA. New York City. September 11, 2001. Rescue workers gather in Lower Manhattan after the collapse of the World Trade Center's Twin Towers. (NYC20211)
USA. New York City. September 11, 2001. Rescue workers gather in Lower Manhattan after the collapse of the World Trade Center's Twin Towers. (NYC20211)   (Magnum Photos)
September 17, 2001. Rescue and recovery mission at Ground Zero.
September 17, 2001. Rescue and recovery mission at Ground Zero.   (Magnum Photos)
USA. New York City. September 15, 2001. Volunteers outside Trinity Church Cemetery, near Ground Zero, distribute food for rescue workers donated by the Seamen's Church Institute. (NYC14481)
USA. New York City. September 15, 2001. Volunteers outside Trinity Church Cemetery, near "Ground Zero," distribute food for rescue workers donated by the Seamen's Church Institute. (NYC14481)   (Magnum Photos)
A view of an area set up by rescue workers at the site of the World Trade Center attack.
A view of an area set up by rescue workers at the site of the World Trade Center attack.   (Magnum Photos)
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Full article available for free download here
Environmental Health Perspectives

Study has limitations, but is most comprehensive yet
New York Times

How much did masks help?
Science Daily

Previous findings from WTC Health Registry
New York City Government

Health • US

 
health • New York City • Ground Zero • public health • September 11 • rescue • asthma

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