Report Finds World Trade Center Responders More Likely to Suffer Mental Health Problems, Years After 9/11 Attacks

A May 2008 report showed that World Trade Center rescue, recovery and clean-up workers are more likely to suffer PTSD, panic disorder, increased drinking and other mental health problems than the general population. The study also found that many WTC responders have more than one condition, and this is connected with disruptions in their personal relationships, work, and social life. Those who have PTSD also observe more problems in their children's behavior.

The study was based on mental health questionnaires filled out by more than 10,000 WTC rescue, recovery and clean up workers and volunteers. They all participated in the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program between July, 2002 and October 2006.

The report was published on the Environmental Health Perspectives web site on May 13, 2008. An abstract and the full report can be found here:
http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2008/11164/abstract.html.

Large Study of World Trade Center Responders Finds Persistent Health Problems in Many

A report on the health effects working in ground zero and related areas after September 11, 2001, had on nearly 9,500 patients in the WTC Worker and Volunteer Medical Screening Program was published in the September 2006 issue of Environmental Health Perspectives.

The findings are based upon medical examinations performed between July 2002 and April 2004 on 9,500 WTC responders. These responders were a highly diverse group and included members of the building trades, law enforcement officers, firefighters, utilities and telecommunications workers, transit workers, and many others. All received a comprehensive examination that included complete physical examination, mental health evaluation, pulmonary function tests, chest x-ray, blood tests and urinalysis. Overall, the monitoring program examined close to 12,000 responders during the 21-month period covered by the study; 9,500 of whom agreed to allow their results to be used in this report.

• EHP report PDF
• Press release from Mount Sinai

MMWR Reports Showing Persistent Health Effects Among WTC Responders

Two analyses of 1,138 participants in the World Trade Center Worker and volunteer Medical Screening Program were released September 9, 2004, in Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report. These reports show that workers and volunteers who were engaged in the rescue, recovery, and clean-up efforts following the 9/11/2001 attacks have been found to have high rates of persistent symptoms associated with their WTC exposures.

• Physical Health MMWR report PDF or website or summary
• Mental Health MMWR report PDF or website
• Press Release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Press Release from Mount Sinai