1
|
Bosland MC, Gordon T, Solomon JJ, Shore RE, Lippmann M. Seventy-five years of impactful environmental and occupational health research at the Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine at New York University. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2024; 1540:147-165. [PMID: 39320132 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.15226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2024]
Abstract
Founded in 1947 as the Institute of Industrial Medicine, the Nelson Institute and Department of Environmental Medicine at New York University (NYU) Grossman School of Medicine (NYUGSOM) was supported by a National Institute of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS) Center Grant for over 56 years. Nelson Institute researchers generated 75 years of impactful research in environmental and occupational health, radiation effects, toxicology, and cancer. Environmental health research is continuing at NYUGSOM in its departments of medicine and population health. The objective of this historical commentary is to highlight the major achievements of the Nelson Institute and the department in the context of its history at facilities in Sterling Forest, Tuxedo, NY and Manhattan, NY. Aspects of our discussion include leadership, physical facilities, and research in many areas, including air pollution, health effects of environmental radiation exposures, inhalation toxicology methodology, carcinogenesis by chemicals, metals, and hormones, cancer chemoprevention, human microbiome, ecotoxicology, epidemiology, biostatistics, and community health concerns. The research of the institute and department benefited from unique facilities, strong leadership focused on team-based science, and outstanding investigators, students, and staff. A major lasting contribution has been the training of hundreds of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, many of whom have been and are training the next generation of environmental and occupational health researchers at various institutions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maarten C Bosland
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Formerly, Nelson Institute and Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Terry Gordon
- Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jerome J Solomon
- Retired from Nelson Institute and Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Roy E Shore
- Retired from Nelson Institute and Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Morton Lippmann
- Retired from Nelson Institute and Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sunderram J, Legard A, De Resende A, Black K, Udasin IG, Lu SE, Romero Castillo H, Ravi SS, Mullins AE, de la Hoz RE, Rapoport DM, Ayappa I. Lack of association of impaired upper airway sensation with the presence or absence of obstructive sleep apnoea or chronic rhinosinusitis in World Trade Center responders. Occup Environ Med 2024; 81:302-307. [PMID: 38871449 PMCID: PMC11239276 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2023-109262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Examine sensory function of the upper airway in four groups of subjects recruited from the World Trade Centre General Responder Cohort (WTCGRC), with/without obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), and with/without chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). METHODS Upper airway sensory function was determined using 2-point discrimination (2-PD) and vibration threshold (VT) in 163 WTCGRC subjects with both OSA and CRS (cases), OSA or CRS alone and without OSA or CRS (controls). Presence of OSA was determined from clinical sleep studies or home sleep testing. Presence of CRS was determined by nasal symptom questionnaire. The relationship between the presence of OSA and CRS and upper airway sensory impairment was assessed using linear regression analysis with each of 2PD and VT sensory threshold values as the dependent variable; OSA, CRS and their interaction were the independent variables. Age, gender and body mass index were covariates in the statistical model. The primary analysis was comparison of OSA+CRS versus controls (no OSA and no CRS) evaluated by linear contrasts. RESULTS There were no differences in 2-PD or VT in those with OSA+CRS, OSA and CRS alone or controls. However, both 2-PD and VT were significantly higher in the WTCGRC controls compared with values seen in historical controls using the same methodology (median 2-PD 13.0; CI (11.0 to 13.5) vs 10.5; CI (8 to 11); VT: mean±SEM (9.3±0.6 vs 2.2±0.1)). CONCLUSION While no differences were found in upper airway sensation between cases of OSA and CRS versus controls in the WTGRC population, there was evidence of impaired upper airway sensation in the WTGRC overall.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jag Sunderram
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Alicia Legard
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Adriana De Resende
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Kathleen Black
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Iris G Udasin
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Shou-En Lu
- School of Public Health, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Horacio Romero Castillo
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Sri Saranya Ravi
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Anna E Mullins
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Rafael E de la Hoz
- Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
| | - David M Rapoport
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Indu Ayappa
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Grunig G, Durmus N, Zhang Y, Lu Y, Pehlivan S, Wang Y, Doo K, Cotrina-Vidal ML, Goldring R, Berger KI, Liu M, Shao Y, Reibman J. Molecular Clustering Analysis of Blood Biomarkers in World Trade Center Exposed Community Members with Persistent Lower Respiratory Symptoms. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:8102. [PMID: 35805759 PMCID: PMC9266229 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19138102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The destruction of the World Trade Center (WTC) on September 11, 2001 (9/11) released large amounts of toxic dusts and fumes into the air that exposed many community members who lived and/or worked in the local area. Many community members, defined as WTC survivors by the federal government, developed lower respiratory symptoms (LRS). We previously reported the persistence of these symptoms in patients with normal spirometry despite treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and/or long-acting bronchodilators. This report expands upon our study of this group with the goal to identify molecular markers associated with exposure and heterogeneity in WTC survivors with LRS using a selected plasma biomarker approach. Samples from WTC survivors with LRS (n = 73, WTCS) and samples from healthy control participants of the NYU Bellevue Asthma Registry (NYUBAR, n = 55) were compared. WTCS provided information regarding WTC dust exposure intensity. Hierarchical clustering of the linear biomarker data identified two clusters within WTCS and two clusters within NYUBAR controls. Comparison of the WTCS clusters showed that one cluster had significantly increased levels of circulating matrix metalloproteinases (MMP1, 2, 3, 8, 12, 13), soluble inflammatory receptors (receptor for advanced glycation end-products-RAGE, Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), suppression of tumorigenicity (ST)2, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM)1, IL-6Ra, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)RI, TNFRII), and chemokines (IL-8, CC chemokine ligand- CCL17). Furthermore, this WTCS cluster was associated with WTC exposure variables, ash at work, and the participant category workers; but not with the exposure variable WTC dust cloud at 9/11. A comparison of WTC exposure categorial variables identified that chemokines (CCL17, CCL11), circulating receptors (RAGE, TREM1), MMPs (MMP3, MMP12), and vascular markers (Angiogenin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-VCAM1) significantly increased in the more exposed groups. Circulating biomarkers of remodeling and inflammation identified clusters within WTCS and were associated with WTC exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Grunig
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10010, USA
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (N.D.); (S.P.); (M.L.C.-V.); (R.G.); (K.I.B.)
| | - Nedim Durmus
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (N.D.); (S.P.); (M.L.C.-V.); (R.G.); (K.I.B.)
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health + Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.W.); (M.L.)
| | - Yian Zhang
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health + Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.W.); (M.L.)
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Yuting Lu
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health + Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.W.); (M.L.)
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Sultan Pehlivan
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (N.D.); (S.P.); (M.L.C.-V.); (R.G.); (K.I.B.)
| | - Yuyan Wang
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health + Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.W.); (M.L.)
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Kathleen Doo
- Pulmonary, Kaiser Permanente East Bay, Oakland, CA 94611, USA;
| | - Maria L. Cotrina-Vidal
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (N.D.); (S.P.); (M.L.C.-V.); (R.G.); (K.I.B.)
| | - Roberta Goldring
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (N.D.); (S.P.); (M.L.C.-V.); (R.G.); (K.I.B.)
| | - Kenneth I. Berger
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (N.D.); (S.P.); (M.L.C.-V.); (R.G.); (K.I.B.)
| | - Mengling Liu
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health + Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.W.); (M.L.)
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Yongzhao Shao
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10010, USA
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health + Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.W.); (M.L.)
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Joan Reibman
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10010, USA
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (N.D.); (S.P.); (M.L.C.-V.); (R.G.); (K.I.B.)
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health + Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.W.); (M.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rosen R, Shao Y, Zhang Q, Bao J, Zhang Y, Masurkar A, Wisniewski T, Urban N, Reibman J. Cognitive Function among World Trade Center-Exposed Community Members with Mental Health Symptoms. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:3440. [PMID: 35329128 PMCID: PMC8948727 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The World Trade Center Environmental Health Center (WTC EHC), is a federally designated clinical center of excellence for surveillance and treatment of WTC disaster exposed community members (WTC Survivors). Cognitive impairment (CI) has been extensively described in WTC responders and a concern for progressive impairment in all WTC disaster exposed groups has been raised. Cognitive status, however, has not been systematically characterized in the WTC Survivor population. We describe cognitive status in a subgroup of the Survivor population referred for mental health evaluation (N = 480) in the WTC EHC as measured by scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) instrument, and examine their association with WTC exposures and individual-level covariates including PTSD and depression screening inventory scores. In regression analyses, probable cognitive impairment (MoCA score < 26) was found in 59% of the study subjects and was significantly associated with age, race/ethnicity, education, income, depression and PTSD scores. Being caught in the dust cloud on 11 September 2011 was significantly associated with cognitive impairment even after controlling for the above. These data suggest an association with cognitive dysfunction in WTC Survivors with exposure to the toxic dust/fumes and psychological stress from the 9/11 terrorist attack and warrant further systematic study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Rosen
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA;
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health+Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Q.Z.); (J.B.); (Y.Z.); (J.R.)
| | - Yongzhao Shao
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health+Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Q.Z.); (J.B.); (Y.Z.); (J.R.)
- Department of Environmental Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- NYU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; (A.M.); (T.W.)
| | - Qiao Zhang
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health+Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Q.Z.); (J.B.); (Y.Z.); (J.R.)
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Jia Bao
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health+Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Q.Z.); (J.B.); (Y.Z.); (J.R.)
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Yian Zhang
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health+Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Q.Z.); (J.B.); (Y.Z.); (J.R.)
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Arjun Masurkar
- NYU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; (A.M.); (T.W.)
- Department of Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Thomas Wisniewski
- NYU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; (A.M.); (T.W.)
- Department of Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Nina Urban
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA;
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health+Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Q.Z.); (J.B.); (Y.Z.); (J.R.)
| | - Joan Reibman
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health+Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Q.Z.); (J.B.); (Y.Z.); (J.R.)
- Department of Environmental Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Clouston SAP, Hall CB, Kritikos M, Bennett DA, DeKosky S, Edwards J, Finch C, Kreisl WC, Mielke M, Peskind ER, Raskind M, Richards M, Sloan RP, Spiro A, Vasdev N, Brackbill R, Farfel M, Horton M, Lowe S, Lucchini RG, Prezant D, Reibman J, Rosen R, Seil K, Zeig-Owens R, Deri Y, Diminich ED, Fausto BA, Gandy S, Sano M, Bromet EJ, Luft BJ. Cognitive impairment and World Trade Centre-related exposures. Nat Rev Neurol 2022; 18:103-116. [PMID: 34795448 PMCID: PMC8938977 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-021-00576-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
On 11 September 2001 the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York was attacked by terrorists, causing the collapse of multiple buildings including the iconic 110-story 'Twin Towers'. Thousands of people died that day from the collapse of the buildings, fires, falling from the buildings, falling debris, or other related accidents. Survivors of the attacks, those who worked in search and rescue during and after the buildings collapsed, and those working in recovery and clean-up operations were exposed to severe psychological stressors. Concurrently, these 'WTC-affected' individuals breathed and ingested a mixture of organic and particulate neurotoxins and pro-inflammogens generated as a result of the attack and building collapse. Twenty years later, researchers have documented neurocognitive and motor dysfunctions that resemble the typical features of neurodegenerative disease in some WTC responders at midlife. Cortical atrophy, which usually manifests later in life, has also been observed in this population. Evidence indicates that neurocognitive symptoms and corresponding brain atrophy are associated with both physical exposures at the WTC and chronic post-traumatic stress disorder, including regularly re-experiencing traumatic memories of the events while awake or during sleep. Despite these findings, little is understood about the long-term effects of these physical and mental exposures on the brain health of WTC-affected individuals, and the potential for neurocognitive disorders. Here, we review the existing evidence concerning neurological outcomes in WTC-affected individuals, with the aim of contextualizing this research for policymakers, researchers and clinicians and educating WTC-affected individuals and their friends and families. We conclude by providing a rationale and recommendations for monitoring the neurological health of WTC-affected individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean A P Clouston
- Program in Public Health, Department of Family, Population, and Preventive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
| | - Charles B Hall
- Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Minos Kritikos
- Program in Public Health, Department of Family, Population, and Preventive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College, Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Steven DeKosky
- Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute and Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jerri Edwards
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Caleb Finch
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - William C Kreisl
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michelle Mielke
- Specialized Center of Research Excellence on Sex Differences, Department of Neurology, Department of Epidemiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Elaine R Peskind
- Veteran's Association VISN 20 Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veteran's Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Murray Raskind
- Veteran's Association VISN 20 Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veteran's Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Marcus Richards
- Medical Research Council Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, Population Health Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Richard P Sloan
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Avron Spiro
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center (MAVERIC), Department of Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Neil Vasdev
- Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry, Brain Health Imaging Center, Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Brackbill
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mark Farfel
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY, USA
| | - Megan Horton
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sandra Lowe
- The World Trade Center Mental Health Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Roberto G Lucchini
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - David Prezant
- World Trade Center Health Program, Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Joan Reibman
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rebecca Rosen
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, Department of Psychiatry, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kacie Seil
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rachel Zeig-Owens
- World Trade Center Health Program, Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Yael Deri
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Erica D Diminich
- Program in Public Health, Department of Family, Population, and Preventive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Bernadette A Fausto
- Center for Molecular & Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Sam Gandy
- Research and Development Service, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Mount Sinai Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mary Sano
- Research and Development Service, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Mount Sinai Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Evelyn J Bromet
- Department of Psychiatry, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Benjamin J Luft
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mears MJ, Aslaner DM, Barson CT, Cohen MD, Gorr MW, Wold LE. Health effects following exposure to dust from the World Trade Center disaster: An update. Life Sci 2022; 289:120147. [PMID: 34785191 PMCID: PMC8791014 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.120147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to dust, smoke, and fumes containing volatile chemicals and particulate matter (PM) from the World Trade Center (WTC) towers' collapse impacted thousands of citizens and first responders (FR; firefighters, medicals staff, police officers) of New York City. Surviving FR and recovery workers are increasingly prone to age-related diseases that their prior WTC dust exposures might expedite or make worse. This review provides an overview of published WTC studies concerning FR/recovery workers' exposure and causal mechanisms of age-related disease susceptibility, specifically those involving the cardiopulmonary and neurological systems. This review also highlights the recent findings of the major health effects of cardiovascular, pulmonary, and neurological health sequelae from WTC dust exposure. To better treat those that risked their lives during and after the disaster of September 11, 2001, the deleterious mechanisms that WTC dust exposure exerted and continue to exert on the heart, lungs, and brain of FR must be better understood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Mears
- College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - David M Aslaner
- College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Chad T Barson
- College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Mitchell D Cohen
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Matthew W Gorr
- College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America; Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute and Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America.
| | - Loren E Wold
- College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America; Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute and Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Shao Y, Durmus N, Zhang Y, Pehlivan S, Fernandez-Beros ME, Umana L, Corona R, Addessi A, Abbott SA, Smyth-Giambanco S, Arslan AA, Reibman J. The Development of a WTC Environmental Health Center Pan-Cancer Database. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18041646. [PMID: 33572220 PMCID: PMC7916067 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: Recent studies have reported elevated risks of multiple cancers in the World Trade Center (WTC) affected community members (also called WTC “Survivors”). The large variety of WTC-cancers created a need to develop a comprehensive cancer database. This paper describes the development of a pan-cancer database at the WTC Environmental Health Center (EHC) Data Center. (2) Methods: A new REDCap-based pan-cancer database was created using the pathology reports and available biomarker data of confirmed cancer cases after review by a cancer epidemiologist, a pathologist, physicians and biostatisticians. (3) Results: The WTC EHC pan-cancer database contains cancer characteristics and emerging biomarker information for cancers of individuals enrolled in the WTC EHC and diagnosed after 11 September 2001 and up to 31 December 2019 obtained from WTC EHC clinical records, pathological reports and state cancer registries. As of 31 December 2019, the database included 3440 cancer cases with cancer characteristics and biomarker information. (4) Conclusions: This evolving database represents an important resource for the scientific community facilitating future research about the etiology, heterogeneity, characteristics and outcomes of cancers and comorbid mental health conditions, cancer economics and gene–environment interaction in the unique population of WTC survivors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongzhao Shao
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine (NYUGSOM), New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.Z.); (A.A.A.)
- Department of Environmental Medicine, NYUG-SOM, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health + Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (N.D.); (S.P.); (M.-E.F.-B.); (L.U.); (R.C.); (A.A.); (S.A.A.); (S.S.-G.)
- NYU Perlmutter Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Correspondence: (Y.S.); (J.R.)
| | - Nedim Durmus
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health + Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (N.D.); (S.P.); (M.-E.F.-B.); (L.U.); (R.C.); (A.A.); (S.A.A.); (S.S.-G.)
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, School of Medicine (SOM), NYUG-SOM, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Yian Zhang
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine (NYUGSOM), New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.Z.); (A.A.A.)
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health + Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (N.D.); (S.P.); (M.-E.F.-B.); (L.U.); (R.C.); (A.A.); (S.A.A.); (S.S.-G.)
| | - Sultan Pehlivan
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health + Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (N.D.); (S.P.); (M.-E.F.-B.); (L.U.); (R.C.); (A.A.); (S.A.A.); (S.S.-G.)
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, School of Medicine (SOM), NYUG-SOM, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Maria-Elena Fernandez-Beros
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health + Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (N.D.); (S.P.); (M.-E.F.-B.); (L.U.); (R.C.); (A.A.); (S.A.A.); (S.S.-G.)
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, School of Medicine (SOM), NYUG-SOM, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Lisette Umana
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health + Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (N.D.); (S.P.); (M.-E.F.-B.); (L.U.); (R.C.); (A.A.); (S.A.A.); (S.S.-G.)
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, School of Medicine (SOM), NYUG-SOM, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Rachel Corona
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health + Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (N.D.); (S.P.); (M.-E.F.-B.); (L.U.); (R.C.); (A.A.); (S.A.A.); (S.S.-G.)
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, School of Medicine (SOM), NYUG-SOM, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Adrienne Addessi
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health + Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (N.D.); (S.P.); (M.-E.F.-B.); (L.U.); (R.C.); (A.A.); (S.A.A.); (S.S.-G.)
| | - Sharon A. Abbott
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health + Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (N.D.); (S.P.); (M.-E.F.-B.); (L.U.); (R.C.); (A.A.); (S.A.A.); (S.S.-G.)
| | - Sheila Smyth-Giambanco
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health + Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (N.D.); (S.P.); (M.-E.F.-B.); (L.U.); (R.C.); (A.A.); (S.A.A.); (S.S.-G.)
| | - Alan A. Arslan
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine (NYUGSOM), New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.Z.); (A.A.A.)
- Department of Environmental Medicine, NYUG-SOM, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health + Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (N.D.); (S.P.); (M.-E.F.-B.); (L.U.); (R.C.); (A.A.); (S.A.A.); (S.S.-G.)
- NYU Perlmutter Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine (SOM), NYUG-SOM, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Joan Reibman
- Department of Environmental Medicine, NYUG-SOM, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, NYC Health + Hospitals, New York, NY 10016, USA; (N.D.); (S.P.); (M.-E.F.-B.); (L.U.); (R.C.); (A.A.); (S.A.A.); (S.S.-G.)
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, School of Medicine (SOM), NYUG-SOM, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Correspondence: (Y.S.); (J.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Marmor M, Thawani S, Cotrina ML, Shao Y, Wong ES, Stecker MM, Wang B, Allen A, Wilkenfeld M, Vinik EJ, Vinik AI, Reibman J. Case-Control Study of Paresthesia Among World Trade Center-Exposed Community Members. J Occup Environ Med 2020; 62:307-316. [PMID: 32049876 PMCID: PMC7113112 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000001828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether paresthesia of the lower extremities following exposure to the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster was associated with signs of neuropathy, metabolic abnormalities, or neurotoxin exposures. METHODS Case-control study comparing WTC-exposed paresthesia cases with "clinic controls" (WTC-exposed subjects without paresthesias), and "community controls" (WTC-unexposed persons). RESULTS Neurological histories and examination findings were significantly worse in cases than controls. Intraepidermal nerve fiber densities were below normal in 47% of cases and sural to radial sensory nerve amplitude ratios were less than 0.4 in 29.4%. Neurologic abnormalities were uncommon among WTC-unexposed community controls. Metabolic conditions and neurotoxin exposures did not differ among groups. CONCLUSIONS Paresthesias among WTC-exposed individuals were associated with signs of neuropathy, small and large fiber disease. The data support WTC-related exposures as risk factors for neuropathy, and do not support non-WTC etiologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Marmor
- Department of Population Health, New York University School
of Medicine, USA
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University
School of Medicine, USA
- Department of Medicine, New York University School of
Medicine, USA
| | - Sujata Thawani
- Department of Neurology, New York University School of
Medicine, USA
| | | | - Yongzhao Shao
- Department of Population Health, New York University School
of Medicine, USA
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University
School of Medicine, USA
| | - Ericka S. Wong
- Department of Neurology, New York University School of
Medicine, USA
- Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University
Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mark M. Stecker
- UCSF/Fresno and University Neurology Associates, Fresno,
CA, USA
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Population Health, New York University School
of Medicine, USA
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University
School of Medicine, USA
| | | | - Marc Wilkenfeld
- Department of Medicine, New York University School of
Medicine, USA
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine,
Department of Medicine, NYU Winthrop Hospital, Mineola, NY, USA
| | - Etta J. Vinik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Strelitz Diabetes Center,
Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Aaron I. Vinik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Strelitz Diabetes Center,
Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Joan Reibman
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University
School of Medicine, USA
- Department of Medicine, New York University School of
Medicine, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Colbeth HL, Zeig-Owens R, Webber MP, Goldfarb DG, Schwartz TM, Hall CB, Prezant DJ. Post-9/11 Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms among World Trade Center-Exposed Firefighters and Emergency Medical Service Workers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16101727. [PMID: 31100846 PMCID: PMC6572143 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16101727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Peripheral neuropathy can result from numerous conditions including metabolic disorders, inflammatory disease, or exposure to environmental or biological toxins. We analyzed questionnaire data from 9239 Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) World Trade Center (WTC)-exposed firefighters and emergency medical service workers (EMS) to evaluate the association between work at the WTC site and subsequent peripheral neuropathy symptoms using the validated Diabetic Neuropathy Symptom (DNS) score. We grouped the population into an "Indicated" group with conditions known to be associated with paresthesia (N = 2059) and a "Non-Indicated" group without conditions known to be associated (N = 7180). The level of WTC exposure was categorized by time of arrival to the WTC. Overall, 25% of workers aged 40 and older reported peripheral neuropathy symptoms: 30.6% in the Indicated and 23.8% in the Non-Indicated groups, respectively. Multivariable logistic models performed on the Non-Indicated group, and on the Non-Indicated in comparison with non-WTC exposed National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), found that the highest level of WTC-exposure was significantly associated with DNS positive outcomes, after controlling for potential confounders. In conclusion, this study suggests that symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and paresthesias are common and are associated with WTC-exposure intensity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hilary L Colbeth
- Fire Department of the City of New York, Bureau of Health Services, 9 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonology Division, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA.
| | - Rachel Zeig-Owens
- Fire Department of the City of New York, Bureau of Health Services, 9 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonology Division, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
| | - Mayris P Webber
- Fire Department of the City of New York, Bureau of Health Services, 9 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Montefiore Medical Center, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Bronx, New York, NY 10467, USA.
| | - David G Goldfarb
- Fire Department of the City of New York, Bureau of Health Services, 9 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonology Division, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA.
| | - Theresa M Schwartz
- Fire Department of the City of New York, Bureau of Health Services, 9 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonology Division, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA.
| | - Charles B Hall
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
- Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
| | - David J Prezant
- Fire Department of the City of New York, Bureau of Health Services, 9 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonology Division, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Thawani S, Wang B, Shao Y, Reibman J, Marmor M. Time to Onset of Paresthesia Among Community Members Exposed to the World Trade Center Disaster. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16081429. [PMID: 31013580 PMCID: PMC6518362 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16081429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
We examined whether time to onset of paresthesia was associated with indicators of severity of World Trade Center (WTC) exposure. We analyzed data from 3411 patients from the Bellevue Hospital—WTC Environmental Health Center. Paresthesia was defined as present if the symptom occurred in the lower extremities with frequency “often” or “almost continuous.” We plotted hazard functions and used the log-rank test to compare time to onset of paresthesia between different exposure groups. We also used Cox regression analysis to examine risk factors for time-to-paresthesia after 9/11/2001 and calculate hazard ratios adjusted for potential confounders. We found significantly elevated hazard ratios for paresthesia for (a) working in a job that required cleaning of WTC dust in the workplace; and (b) being heavily exposed to WTC dust on September 11, 2001, after adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and body mass index. These observational data are consistent with the hypothesis that exposure to WTC dust or some other aspect of cleaning WTC dust in the workplace, is associated with neuropathy and paresthesia. Further neurological evaluations of this and other WTC-exposed populations is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sujata Thawani
- Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10017, USA.
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Yongzhao Shao
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Joan Reibman
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
- Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Michael Marmor
- Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10017, USA.
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
De Cauwer H, Somville FJMP. Neurological disease in the aftermath of terrorism: a review. Acta Neurol Belg 2018; 118:193-199. [PMID: 29694644 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-018-0924-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of our review is to discuss current knowledge on long-term sequelae and neurological disorders in the aftermath of a terrorist attack. The specific aspects of both psychological and physical effects are mentioned in more detail in this review. Also, the outcomes such as stress-related disorders, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disease are explained. Moreover, PTSD and posttraumatic structural brain changes are a topic for further investigations of the patients suffering from these attacks. Not only the direct victims are prone to the after effects of the terroristic attacks, but the rescue workers, physicians, witnesses and worldwide citizens may also be affected by PTSD and other neurological diseases as well. The determination of a whole series of risk factors for developing neurological disorders can be a means to set up early detection, preventative measures, to refine treatment and thus to gain better outcome in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harald De Cauwer
- Department of Neurology, AZ St Dimpna Regional Hospital, JB Stessenstraat 2, 2440, Geel, Belgium.
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Francis J M P Somville
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Dimpna Regional Hospital, Geel, Belgium
- Department of Health Psychology, University of Leiden, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Clerkships Office, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ahuja S, Zhu Z, Shao Y, Berger KI, Reibman J, Ahmed O. Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Community Members Exposed to World Trade Center Dust and Fumes. J Clin Sleep Med 2018; 14:735-743. [PMID: 29735001 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.7094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES A relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and exposure to the World Trade Center (WTC) dust and fumes has been suggested in responders but little is known about a possible relationship in community members. We characterized sleep studies performed in community members with WTC dust exposure to improve our understanding of the relationship between the diagnosis and severity of OSA and WTC dust exposure in this population. METHODS Single-center, retrospective study of patients enrolled in a clinical treatment program for community members with WTC dust exposure. Patients were included if they had undergone sleep studies for evaluation of possible OSA through September 2016 and provided written informed consent. RESULTS The total number of patients included in the analysis was 143. Patients were predominantly male (61%), never smokers (59%) and had a median body mass index of 31 kg/m2. Most reported upper and lower respiratory symptoms. An apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5 events/h was measured in 66% of the patients, and respiratory disturbance index was ≥ 5 events/h in 97%. The proportion of patients with moderate-severe OSA (defined by the AHI 4% criteria) was 50%. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that acute WTC dust cloud exposure was associated with severity but not diagnosis of OSA. CONCLUSIONS We identified a high rate of OSA in the WTC community cohort who were referred for sleep studies. Exposure to the massive WTC dust cloud caused by the WTC collapse was independently associated with the severity of OSA in this population. This finding highlights the role that environmental exposures may play in the development of OSA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shilpi Ahuja
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Zhaoyin Zhu
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Yongzhao Shao
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.,Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Kenneth I Berger
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Joan Reibman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.,Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Omer Ahmed
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Jordan HT, Stein CR, Li J, Cone JE, Stayner L, Hadler JL, Brackbill RM, Farfel MR. Mortality among rescue and recovery workers and community members exposed to the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center terrorist attacks, 2003-2014. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 163:270-279. [PMID: 29477875 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple chronic health conditions have been associated with exposure to the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center (WTC) terrorist attacks (9/11). We assessed whether excess deaths occurred during 2003-2014 among persons directly exposed to 9/11, and examined associations of 9/11-related exposures with mortality risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS Deaths occurring in 2003-2014 among members of the World Trade Center Health Registry, a cohort of rescue/recovery workers and lower Manhattan community members who were exposed to 9/11, were identified via linkage to the National Death Index. Participants' overall levels of 9/11-related exposure were categorized as high, intermediate, or low. We calculated standardized mortality ratios (SMR) using New York City reference rates from 2003 to 2012. Proportional hazards were used to assess associations of 9/11-related exposures with mortality, accounting for age, sex, race/ethnicity and other potential confounders. RESULTS We identified 877 deaths among 29,280 rescue/recovery workers (3.0%) and 1694 deaths among 39,643 community members (4.3%) during 308,340 and 416,448 person-years of observation, respectively. The SMR for all causes of death was 0.69 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.65-0.74] for rescue/recovery workers and 0.86 (95% CI 0.82-0.90) for community members. SMRs for diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems were significantly lower than expected in both groups. SMRs for several other causes of death were significantly elevated, including suicide among rescue recovery workers (SMR 1.82, 95% CI 1.35-2.39), and brain malignancies (SMR 2.25, 95% CI 1.48-3.28) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (SMR 1.79, 95% CI 1.24-2.50) among community members. Compared to low exposure, both intermediate [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) 1.36, 95% CI 1.10-1.67] and high (AHR 1.41, 95% CI 1.06-1.88) levels of 9/11-related exposure were significantly associated with all-cause mortality among rescue/recovery workers (p-value for trend 0.01). For community members, intermediate (AHR 1.13, 95% CI 1.01-1.27), but not high (AHR 1.14, 95% CI 0.94-1.39) exposure was significantly associated with all-cause mortality (p-value for trend 0.03). AHRs for associations of overall 9/11-related exposure with heart disease- and cancer-related mortality were similar in magnitude to those for all-cause mortality, but with 95% CIs crossing the null value. CONCLUSIONS Overall mortality was not elevated. Among specific causes of death that were significantly elevated, suicide among rescue/recovery workers is a plausible long-term consequence of 9/11 exposure, and is potentially preventable. Elevated mortality due to other causes, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and brain cancer, and small but statistically significant associations of 9/11-related exposures with all-cause mortality hazard warrant additional surveillance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah T Jordan
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 125 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013, United States
| | - Cheryl R Stein
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 125 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013, United States
| | - Jiehui Li
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 125 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013, United States.
| | - James E Cone
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 125 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013, United States
| | - Leslie Stayner
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois, 1603 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, Illinois 60612, United States
| | - James L Hadler
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 125 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013, United States
| | - Robert M Brackbill
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 125 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013, United States
| | - Mark R Farfel
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 125 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013, United States
| |
Collapse
|