Respiratory and other health effects reported in children exposed to the World Trade Center disaster of 11 September 2001

Pauline A. Thomas, Robert Brackbill, Lisa Thalji, Laura DiGrander, Sharon Campolucci, Lorna Thorpe, Kelly Henning

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Effects of the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster on children's respiratory health have not been definitively established. Objective: This report describes respiratory health findings among children who were < 18 years of age on 11 September 2001 (9/11) and examine associations between disaster-related exposures and respiratory health. Methods: Children recruited for the WTC Health Registry (WTCHR) included child residents and students (kindergarten through 12th grade) in Manhattan south of Canal Street, children who were south of Chambers Street on 9/11, and adolescent disaster-related workers or volunteers. We collected data via computer-assisted telephone interviews in 2003-2004, with interview by adult proxy for children still < 18 years of age at that time. We compared age-specific asthma prevalence with National Health Interview Survey estimates. Results: Among 3,184 children enrolled, 28% were < 5 years of age on 9/11; 34%, 5-11 years; and 39%, 12-17 years. Forty-five percent had a report of dust cloud exposure on 9/11. Half (53%) reported at least one new or worsened respiratory symptom, and 5.7% reported new asthma diagnoses. Before 9/11, age-specific asthma prevalence in enrolled children was similar to national estimates, but prevalence at interview was elevated among enrollees < 5 years of age. Dust cloud exposure was associated with new asthma diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio = 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-3.5). Conclusions: Asthma prevalence after 9/11 among WTCHR enrollees < 5 years of age was higher than national estimates, and new asthma diagnosis was associated with dust cloud exposure in all age groups. We will determine severity of asthma and persistence of other respiratory symptoms on follow-up surveys.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1383-1390
Number of pages8
JournalEnvironmental health perspectives
Volume116
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008

Keywords

  • Air pollution
  • Asthma
  • Postdisaster health assessment in children
  • Respiratory health
  • World Trade Center disaster

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Respiratory and other health effects reported in children exposed to the World Trade Center disaster of 11 September 2001'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this