Airway Disease in Rescue/Recovery Workers: Recent Findings from the World Trade Center Collapse

Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2017 Jan;17(1):5. doi: 10.1007/s11882-017-0670-9.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Our goal is to summarize the airway disease literature since September 11, 2001 (9/11), focusing on studies published since 2011 in World Trade Center-exposed rescue/recovery workers.

Recent findings: Since 2011, studies have confirmed relationships between initial World Trade Center exposure intensity, severity of symptoms, airway disease diagnoses, and biomarkers of disease progression. Studies continue to document ongoing morbidity in rescue/recovery workers over 10 years after 9/11. Future research should further identify correlates of symptom persistence and new airway disease diagnoses. The unique characteristics of the airway diseases in this population warrant ongoing monitoring and treatment.

Keywords: 9/11; Asthma; Obstructive airway disease; Occupational diseases; World Trade Center.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Asthma, Occupational / diagnosis
  • Asthma, Occupational / etiology
  • Humans
  • Inhalation Exposure / adverse effects
  • Inhalation Exposure / statistics & numerical data
  • Occupational Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Occupational Diseases / etiology*
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Rescue Work*
  • Respiration Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Respiration Disorders / etiology*
  • September 11 Terrorist Attacks*