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Document ID (ISN)109084
CIS number 09-138
ISSN - Serial title 0340-0131 - International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
Year 2008
Convention or series no.
Author(s) de la Hoz R.E., Shohet M.R., Chasan R, Bienenfeld L.A., Afilaka A.A., Levin S.M., Herbert R.
Title Occupational toxicant inhalation injury: The World Trade Center (WTC) experience
Bibliographic information Feb. 2008, Vol.81, No.4, p.479-485. Illus. 34 ref.
Abstract The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of diseases in a group of 554 former workers and volunteers (with more than 90 different occupations) at the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster site. A subsample of 168 workers was selected to examine lower airway disease risk in relation to smoking and WTC exposure variables. Five diagnostic categories clearly predominate: upper airway disease (78.5%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (57.6%), lower airway disease (48.9%), psychological (41.9%) and chronic musculoskeletal illnesses (17.8%). The most frequent pattern of presentation was a combination of the first three of these categories (29.8%). Associations were found between arrival at the WTC site within the first 48h of the terrorist attack and lower airway and gastroesophageal reflux disease, and between past or present cigarette smoking and lower airway disease. Cigarette smoking and early arrival at the WTC site appear to be risk factors for lower airway disease diagnosis.
Descriptors (primary) New York; inhalation; terrorism; health hazards; toxic substances
Descriptors (secondary) irritants; USA; smoking; mental disorders; statistical evaluation; respiratory diseases; oesophageal diseases; musculoskeletal diseases; asthma
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceUSA
Subject(s) Occupational pathology
Broad subject area(s) Chemical safety
Browse category(ies) Violence and terrorism