LOM Assignment

“Lung conditions caused by 9/11” Write about the different types of lung conditions being found as a result of 9/11. We all remember the effects of this horrible day on September 11, 2001; but what we don’t know is the effects it still had on so many after the tragedy ended. When the towers of the World Trade Center collapsed it produced a dense could of smoke and vaporized concrete and drywall. New York City Fire Department rescue workers were exposed to polluted air- as well as dust and diesel exhaust that accompanied the rescues effort, this had reduced there lung function in weeks and months following the attack.
Now a new study in the “New England Journal of Medicine” report that the lung impairment they observed in the rescue workers appears to be lasting. Firefighters, Emergency Medical personnel continued to have decreased lung function up to seven years after 9/11. They found most of this group suffered from “Chronic Bronchitis, Asthma, Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma, Tuberculosis, and Sarcoidosis” (especially prevalent among recovery and clean-up workers); 9/11 also exposed some people to having GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disorder) they addressed these declines with regular monitoring and aggressive treatment.
In 2001 and 2002 the lung function of more than 12,000 fire fighters, rescue workers who were at Ground Zero had there lung functions measured, comparing the results to lung function tests given to the same group before 9/11 as a part as their department physicals. On average the lung function of the workers declined by an amount equivalent to twelve years of natural aging. In new studies, researchers continued to follow these fire fighters and medical personnel for an average of six years measuring there lung function every twelve to eighteen months to see if the initial decline persisted.

They were surprised to find “little or no” improvement in average lung function, according to the study. The persistent decline in lung function has potential short-term consequences, it places them at higher risk for shortness of breath, cough, wheeze and impairments in their ability to exercise and perform physically demanding jobs. A lot of these heroes are now unable to work because of these long term conditions of this horrible tragedy.