The World Trade Center Disaster and the Health of Workers: Five-Year Assessment of a Unique Medical Screening Program

Abstract

WTC responders had exposure-related increases in respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function test abnormalities that persisted up to 2.5 years after the attacks. Longterm medical monitoring is required to track persistence of these abnormalities and identify late effects, including possible malignancies. Lessons learned should guide future responses to civil disasters.