Abnormalities on Chest Computed Tomography and Lung Function Following an Intense Dust Exposure: A 17-Year Longitudinal Study

Charles Liu, Barbara Putman, Ankura Singh, Rachel Zeig-Owens, Charles B. Hall, Theresa Schwartz, Mayris P. Webber, Hillel W. Cohen, Melissa J. Fazzari, David J. Prezant and Michael D. Weiden
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Charles Liu: Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Division, Department of Medicine and Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
Barbara Putman: Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Division, Department of Medicine and Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
Ankura Singh: The Bureau of Health Services and the FDNY World Trade Center Health Program, Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
Rachel Zeig-Owens: The Bureau of Health Services and the FDNY World Trade Center Health Program, Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
Charles B. Hall: Division of Biostatistics, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
Theresa Schwartz: The Bureau of Health Services and the FDNY World Trade Center Health Program, Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
Mayris P. Webber: The Bureau of Health Services and the FDNY World Trade Center Health Program, Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
Hillel W. Cohen: Division of Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
Melissa J. Fazzari: Division of Biostatistics, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
David J. Prezant: The Bureau of Health Services and the FDNY World Trade Center Health Program, Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
Michael D. Weiden: Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Division, Department of Medicine and Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 9, 1-14

Abstract: Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) firefighters experienced intense dust exposure working at the World Trade Center (WTC) site on and after 11/9/2001 (9/11). We hypothesized that high-intensity WTC exposure caused abnormalities found on chest computed tomography (CT). Between 11/9/2001–10/9/2018, 4277 firefighters underwent a clinically-indicated chest CT. Spirometric measurements and symptoms were recorded during routine medical examinations. High-intensity exposure, defined as initial arrival at the WTC on the morning of 9/11, increased the risk of bronchial wall thickening, emphysema, and air trapping. Early post-9/11 symptoms of wheeze and shortness of breath were associated with bronchial wall thickening, emphysema, and air trapping. The risk of accelerated forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV 1 ) decline (>64 mL/year decline) increased with bronchial wall thickening and emphysema, but decreased with air trapping. The risk of airflow obstruction also increased with bronchial wall thickening and emphysema but decreased with air trapping. In a previously healthy occupational cohort, high-intensity WTC exposure increased the risk for CT abnormalities. Bronchial wall thickening and emphysema were associated with respiratory symptoms, accelerated FEV 1 decline, and airflow obstruction. Air trapping was associated with respiratory symptoms, although lung function was preserved. Physiologic differences between CT abnormalities suggest that distinct types of airway injury may result from a common exposure.

Keywords: medical imaging; pulmonary function tests; lung injury; occupational exposure; epidemiological studies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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