Twenty-Year Reflection on the Impact of World Trade Center Exposure on Pulmonary Outcomes in Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) Rescue and Recovery Workers

Abstract

After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 (9/11), many rescue/recovery workers developed respiratory symptoms and pulmonary diseases due to their extensive World Trade Center (WTC) dust cloud exposure. Nearly all Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) workers were present within 48 h of 9/11 and for the next several months. Since the FDNY had a well-established occupational health service for its firefighters and Emergency Medical Services workers prior to 9/11, the FDNY was able to immediately start a rigorous monitoring and treatment program for its WTC-exposed workers. As a result, respiratory symptoms and diseases were identified soon after 9/11. This focused review summarizes the WTC-related respiratory diseases that developed in the FDNY cohort after 9/11, including WTC cough syndrome, obstructive airways disease, accelerated lung function decline, airway hyperreactivity, sarcoidosis, and obstructive sleep apnea. Additionally, an extensive array of biomarkers has been identified as associated with WTC-related respiratory disease. Future research efforts will not only focus on further phenotyping/treating WTC-related respiratory disease but also on additional diseases associated with WTC exposure, especially those that take decades to develop, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and interstitial lung disease.

Introduction

In the 20 years since September 11, 2001 (9/11), many health problems have burdened the lives of rescue/recovery workers as well as survivors of this tragedy. Over 400,000 people were exposed to the toxins, physical, and emotional trauma in the days and months following the attacks [1]. The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) workforce was nearly all present within the first 48 h after 9/11 and then for several months providing rescue and recovery efforts. They were heavily exposed to World Trade Center (WTC) dust containing inorganic species, metals, pesticides, asbestos, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and other hydrocarbons [2, 3]. The WTC dust consisted of highly alkaline particulate matter of sizes greater than 10 μm [2], which typically undergo nasopharyngeal filtration [4]. However, the overwhelming extent of dust exposure coupled with the increased respiratory demand during rescue and recovery work resulted in both upper and lower airways being heavily impacted [5]. As a result, medical monitoring of those exposed began shortly after 9/11 [6].

In 2011, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 (Zadroga Act) [7] was signed into law, creating the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), thereby unifying medical monitoring and treatment of WTC-related health conditions into a federally funded program. Under the WTCHP, in addition to the FDNY program covering firefighters and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers, there is also the General Responder WTC Health Program following non-FDNY rescue/recovery workers [8], the Bellevue WTC Environmental Health Center (WTC EHC) covering neighborhood residents, local workers, and clean-up workers/volunteers [9], and the Pentagon/Shanksville Responder cohort which includes rescue/recovery workers at the Pentagon and plane crash site in Shanksville Pennsylvania [10]. The WTC Health Registry is an additional cohort of over 70,000 people who were near the WTC which tracks the health outcomes of 9/11 exposure with a series of questionnaires [10]. Unlike the other cohorts, it does not provide 9/11-related treatment. Because the FDNY had a well-established occupational health service for its firefighters and EMS providers prior to 9/11, the FDNY was able to immediately start a rigorous monitoring and treatment program for its nearly 16,000 WTC-exposed rescue/recovery workers [5]. These annual exams include health questionnaires, laboratory data, audiograms, spirometry, and chest radiographs. This cohort has had the unique strength of being able to compare the occurrence of new findings to their pre-9/11 prevalence, strengthening any conclusions as to whether conditions were associated with WTC exposure.

The health impacts of 9/11 include not only aerodigestive diseases such as chronic rhinosinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), lung diseases (obstructive and interstitial), and sleep apnea but also many cancers and mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [5, 11–22]. Currently over 65,000 [23] individuals have qualifying WTC-related diagnoses, over 11,000 of whom are retired or active FDNY workers. This focused review provides a summary of pulmonary-related issues in the 20 years since 9/11/2001 that have impacted WTC-exposed FDNY responders.

WTC-Related Respiratory Conditions

WTC Cough Syndrome

In the days and months after 9/11, the most common self-reported symptom among FDNY workers was new onset cough and sore/hoarse throat [24]. What soon became known as “WTC cough syndrome” was defined as persistent cough that developed after exposure to the site and was accompanied by respiratory symptoms severe enough to require medical leave for at least 4 weeks [24–26]. Nearly all FDNY first responders who developed WTC cough syndrome were present at the WTC site within 48 h of 9/11, most of whom were considered highly exposed as they were present on the morning of 9/11 and exposed to the WTC dust cloud [26]. WTC cough syndrome has been found to be associated with obstructive airways disease, airway hyperreactivity, radiographic evidence of airway inflammation (i.e., air trapping and bronchial wall thickening on chest CT imaging), GERD, chronic rhinosinusitis, and PTSD [18, 24, 26]

Airway Hyperreactivity

Pulmonary function testing conducted immediately after 9/11 identified airway obstruction and hyperreactivity associated with WTC exposure [27]. Similar to findings in the non-FDNY volunteer/responder [28–30] and survivor cohorts [9, 31], this relationship was strongly associated with exposure intensity in FDNY rescue/recovery workers [27]. Even after 6 months, FDNY workers most highly exposed (arrived on the morning of 9/11) were over six times more likely to have airway hyperreactivity based on methacholine challenge testing (MCT) than those with moderate exposure or no exposure in the first 2 weeks after 9/11 [32]. These findings were independent of baseline airway obstruction and smoking status and in follow-up studies were found to have persisted even 12 months after 9/11 [32, 33]. Unlike the typical expected decrease in bronchial hyperreactivity after removal of noxious stimuli in traditional occupational asthma [34], Aldrich et al. found persistence of airway hyperreactivity in FDNY rescue/recovery workers 10 to 12 years after 9/11 exposure [35].

Decline in FEV₁

Although the majority of FDNY rescue workers continued to have normal forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) post-9/11, two clinically relevant patterns of loss of FEV₁ have been observed. Aldrich et al. reported a significant mean decrease in FEV₁ in the first year after 9/11 on annual spirometry of 439 mL in firefighters and 267 mL in EMS workers who never smoked. Interestingly, despite normal lung function prior to 9/11, little to no recovery in FEV₁ to pre-9/11 function was observed during years of follow-up [36, 37]. Additionally, after several years of medical monitoring it became clear that although some had partial improvement in lung function post-9/11, there was a subset of FDNY workers who continued to have persistent accelerated FEV₁ decline, while others had their expected age-related decline (Fig. 1) [26, 36, 38, 39]. It was also demonstrated that bronchial hyperreactivity along with respiratory symptoms such as cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath were more prevalent in those with a decline in FEV₁ post-9/11 [35]. Soon the term “WTC-lung injury” (WTC-LI) was defined as newly decreased FEV₁ below the lower limit of normal [40].

Fig. 1.

FEV₁ decline after WTC exposure in FDNY workers

WTC Metabolic and Inflammatory Biomarkers

Multiple studies have focused on understanding the underlying metabolic and inflammatory pathways associated with post-9/11 decline in lung function and obstructive airways disease (Table 1). Studies of serum biomarkers within 6-month post-9/11 from a sample of 801 FDNY firefighters were conducted to identify biomarkers related to risk or protection against WTC-LI [41–44]. Granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) increased the risk of WTC-LI by 2.5-fold and 2.95-fold, respectively [41]. Elevations of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) [42] and immunoglobulin E (IgE) [43] were also found to be risk factors for WTC-LI. Using a definition of accelerated FEV₁ decline (≥ 64 mL/year), Weiden et al. found that interleukin-4, -5, and -13 were associated with greater FEV₁ decline when controlling for several important confounders, such as WTC exposure intensity and smoking status [45]. Additionally, others found lower levels of serum alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) and higher serum levels of eosinophils and neutrophils were associated with accelerated FEV₁ decline after 9/11 [38, 39]. Alternatively, the protective qualities of MMP-3 and MMP-12 were confirmed in a nested case–control study by Kwon et al. which showed that each log increase of MMP-3 and MMP-12 reduced the odds of developing WTC-LI by 73% and 54%, respectively [44]. Additionally, a subset of FDNY workers with elevated chitotriosidase levels, an enzyme vital in the innate host defense against bacterial and fungal infections [46], showed recovery of their forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV₁ to their pre-9/11 levels on average 32 months after the attack [43]. Finally, Nolan et al. found that the odds of regaining lung function after WTC exposure were higher in those with higher levels of MMP-2 and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) [42].

Table 1.

Overview of biomarkers and representative references

Effect	Class	Variable
Risk of WTC-LI	Inflammation	GM-CSF; MDC [41]
	Matrix metalloproteinases	MMP-1 [42, 44]
	Immunoglobulins	IgE [43]
	Metabolic/clinical characteristics	Dyslipidemia, obesity, insulin resistance, elevated heart rate, elevated leptin [48–51]
	Lipid/RAGE axis	LPA; sRAGE [52, 53]
	Apolipoproteins	ApoAI, ApoAII [40, 52]
	Leukocytes	aNeutrophils; aEosinophils [94]
	Serpins	aLow alpha-1 antitrypsin; decreased PEDF [38, 56]
	Interleukins	aIL- 4, -5, and -13 [95]
	Cardiovascular markers	CRP, MIP-4 [40, 44]
Protective of WTC-LI	Matrix metalloproteinases	MMP-3 and -12 [44]
	Protein	GRO and MCP-1 [42, 56]
	Neuroendocrine peptide	Amylin [48]
Post-WTC FEV1 recovery	Macrophage activity marker	Chitotriosidase [43]
	Matrix metalloproteinases	MMP-2 [42]
	Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor	TIMP-1 [42]
WTC-AHR	Metabolic syndrome characteristics	Obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, HTN [49, 50]

AHR airway hyperreactivity, APO apolipoprotein, CRP C-reactive protein, GM-CSF granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor, GRO growth-regulated oncogene protein, HDL high-density lipoprotein, HTN hypertension, Ig immunoglobulin, IL interleukin, LPA lysophosphatidic acid, MCP monocyte chemoattractant protein, MDC macrophage-derived chemokine, MIP macrophage inhibitory protein, MMP matrix metalloproteinase, PEDF pigment epithelium-derived factor, sRAGE soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products, TIMP tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases, WTC-LI world trade center lung injury

^aAlso associated with accelerated FEV₁ decline

Several studies have explored the relationship between lung function post-9/11 and systemic inflammatory biomarkers found in patients with metabolic syndrome or other cardiovascular abnormalities. A case–control study of FDNY workers found an association between dyslipidemia, elevated heart rate and elevated leptin levels, a biomarker for metabolic syndrome [47], and the development of WTC-LI after adjusting for confounders, such as body mass index (BMI). Meanwhile, amylin was found to be protective for WTC-LI [48]. Furthermore, studies have evaluated the relationship between metabolic syndrome risk factors (i.e., abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL levels, and hypertension) near the time of WTC exposure and new WTC-LI or airway hyperreactivity several years later [49–51]. Kwon et al. reported as much as a 69% increased risk of airway hyperreactivity for those with ≥ 3 metabolic syndrome risk factors, which was independent of other known risk factors, such as smoking status and WTC exposure intensity [49]. They later reported that having metabolic syndrome increased risk of developing WTC-LI by 56% [50]. The odds of developing WTC-LI years after WTC exposure have also been shown to increase in those with elevations within 6-month post-9/11 of cardiovascular serum biomarkers, such as apolipoprotein A-I (ApoAI) and ApoAII, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, soluble Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-Products (sRAGE), and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) [40, 41, 48, 50, 52, 53].

Additionally, high-throughput metabolomics have facilitated the assessment of the metabolome of those with WTC-LI and bioactive classes of lipid and amino acid metabolites have been identified [54, 55]. A multivariate predictive model of firefighters with WTC-LI was developed by integrating the metabolome with clinical, cytokine, chemokine, and environmental characteristics to improve early identification of disease [56]. Increased growth-regulated oncogene protein (GRO), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and decreased macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) were protective of WTC-LI. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) was found to be a novel predictive biomarker of the negative health effects of particulate matter exposure and decreased levels along with macrophage inflammatory protein-4 (MIP-4), and increased ApoAII were associated with WTC-LI [56]. Many of these risk factors for metabolic syndrome and for cardiovascular disease are modifiable which could aid in reducing pulmonary dysfunction not only in WTC cohorts but also in the general population.

WTC-Related Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease that develops after a genetically primed abnormal immune response to an antigen exposure or inflammatory trigger [57]. Thus, soon after the massive antigen exposure that was 9/11, annual radiographs in FDNY workers demonstrated an increase in intrathoracic adenopathy and later tissue samples confirmed an increased incidence of sarcoidosis (intra- and extrathoracic) above that observed in non-WTC cohorts of similar sex, age, and race [58, 59]. The average annual incidence increased initially from 15/100,000 in the 15 years prior to 9/11 to 85/100,000 in the year after 9/11 and then stabilized at 25/100,000 after 2002. Similar findings were reported in both survivor and non-FDNY rescue/recovery cohorts [60–62]. Unlike pre-9/11 sarcoidosis cases within the FDNY cohort, those with newly diagnosed sarcoidosis post-9/11 were more likely to have new asthma symptoms and airway hyperreactivity [59]. Hena et al. extensively characterized the clinical course of post-9/11 sarcoidosis in the FDNY cohort both at the time of diagnosis and again in 2015 (Fig. 2) [63]. All had pulmonary involvement at diagnosis and the majority had radiologic findings consistent with mostly stage I and II disease [63, 64]. Nearly half had resolution of intrathoracic involvement at the time of follow-up 8 to 10 years later. Pulmonary function metrics were within normal limits for nearly all, changed little over time, and were not related to radiographic disease patterns [64]. Alternatively, extrapulmonary involvement increased from diagnosis to the time of follow-up with cardiac and bone/joint involvement being the most prevalent. It remains unclear whether the increased prevalence of cardiac sarcoid was due to WTC exposure alone or whether some of the association was due to increased surveillance. An argument in favor of surveillance bias is that everyone enrolled in the study had extensive screening for cardiac sarcoidosis, including cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cardiac MRI was far more sensitive than electrocardiogram and/or echocardiograms, which missed nearly half of those with cardiac sarcoidosis [63]. Regardless of etiology and because cardiac sarcoidosis can be fatal, their findings suggest a greater need for potentially life-saving-advanced cardiac screening in asymptomatic patients, especially those with public safety responsibilities. Additionally, several unique genetic variants were identified in those with post-9/11 sarcoidosis in a nested case–control study matching based on degree of WTC exposure, age, sex, and race [65]. Seventeen allele variants of HLA and non-HLA genes were found to be associated with sarcoidosis in the FDNY cohort, all of which were in chromosomes 1 and 6. Although many of the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) had never been reported before, one consistent finding with prior studies was an association between the SNP rs20417 which previously was shown to be associated with sarcoidosis in a northern European, mostly Caucasian cohort [66]. Although the sample size used for the FDNY sarcoidosis cohort was too small to identify specific alleles associated with extrapulmonary sarcoidosis phenotypes, there were several novel genetic variants found to be associated with extrapulmonary sarcoidosis generally [65]. Larger genetic studies of other WTC cohorts may help further understand these genetic relationships.

Fig. 2.

Pulmonary and extrapulmonary organ involvement of sarcoidosis at baseline and follow-up

WTC-Associated Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Although obstructive airways disease and hyperreactivity were the most common new pulmonary diseases reported in FDNY workers post-9/11, obstructive sleep apnea was also found to be associated with WTC exposure in survivor, non-FDNY rescue/recovery workers, and FDNY workers [14, 15, 67]. In 2011 Webber et al. [14] demonstrated that of 11,701 FDNY workers studied who were WTC exposed within 2 weeks of 9/11, 44% were considered at high risk for OSA based on a modified Berlin Questionnaire [68]. Interestingly, of those considered high risk, only 13.9% had a physician diagnosis of OSA. This study, like other WTC-related airway conditions, demonstrated a WTC exposure dose–response relationship in that those most highly exposed had the highest odds of being at risk for OSA. Also similar to other WTC-related airways diseases summarized above, they found an independent relationship between OSA and other WTC syndromes, such as GERD, chronic rhinosinusitis, and PTSD [14]. A follow-up study by Glaser et al. evaluated those who screened positive on the Berlin screener for OSA and had polysomnography testing; they found that 81% of the study participants were diagnosed with OSA. They also demonstrated that those with the highest level of WTC exposure were more likely to be diagnosed with severe OSA with an OR 1.91 (1.15–3.17), which was independent of BMI [15]. These studies suggest a relationship between OSA, a likely source of chronic systemic inflammation [69], and WTC exposure. Thus, there should be a low threshold to evaluate those with high WTC exposure and other WTC syndromes, such as GERD, PTSD, and chronic rhinosinusitis for OSA.

Unique Treatment Approaches to WTC-Related Disease

Given the high prevalence of bronchial hyperreactivity, obstructive airways disease, and symptoms, such as cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath, the most commonly prescribed treatments have been inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) with or without long-acting beta agonists (LABA). Other treatments have included systemic oral corticosteroids, ipratropium inhalation, and/or leukotriene receptor antagonist. Given an equal or even higher prevalence of GERD and/or chronic rhinosinusitis, treatment often included proton pump inhibitors, acid-free diets, nasal saline rinses, and nasal sprays (antihistamines, decongestants, corticosteroids, and/or ipratropium) [70–72]. Initial studies noted that the use of corticosteroids had no effect on airway reactivity but did slow the rate of FEV₁ decline [35]. Later in a study evaluating 8,530 FDNY firefighters, 19% were prescribed ICS/LABA in the 16-year period after 9/11. When dyspnea was measured using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale score, those without improvement in their dyspnea score after the initiation of ICS/LABA were more likely to have delayed treatment—increased time between 9/11 and treatment initiation. Those with improvement in their dyspnea were initially the most symptomatic and, perhaps because of that, were started the earliest on treatment after 9/11 [73]. Further study of this cohort found that those treated the earliest with ICS/LABA (prior to the median date of treatment initiation in the group) had the greatest improvement in FEV₁ slope post-treatment [74]. Although it is difficult to account for treatment bias, these studies suggest that delays in treatment may contribute to worsening lung injury after WTC exposure [73, 74].

Additionally, FDNY firefighters with WTC-related sarcoid arthritis, one of the most common extrapulmonary manifestations, were treated with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for steroid refractory disease, as is standard for a stepwise escalation of therapy [75, 76]. However, eight of the eleven treated with hydroxychloroquine did not experience adequate disease control of their articular symptoms, while three experienced either partial or complete response. After a 3-month trial of hydroxychloroquine, they were given methotrexate but again suboptimal symptom control was achieved. Finally, anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNFα) agents were initiated with over a 70% improvement in symptoms. Cardiac sarcoidosis has been similarly treated with stepwise escalation from corticosteroids to methotrexate to anti-TNFα agents. Unlike non-WTC-related sarcoidosis, most with this unique WTC exposure required a higher escalation of therapy to achieve control.

Finally, the therapeutic potential of attenuating metabolic syndrome risk in those with WTC-LI is being explored. To investigate the hypothesis that a low-calorie Mediterranean-type diet will reduce the primary clinical endpoint of body mass index (BMI) and will positively impact the secondary endpoints, such as FEV₁, the Food Intake REstriction for Health OUtcome Support and Education (FIREHOUSE) trial was developed [77–80]. This collaborative randomized clinical trial utilizes self-monitored diet, physical activity recommendations, and cloud-based self-monitoring with Social Cognitive Theory (SCT)-based behavioral counseling delivered via video sessions [81] to WTC-exposed firefighters with WTC-LI. The goal of this study is to evaluate if these novel technology-supported Mediterranean diet and lifestyle modifications can further improve the treatment of WTC pulmonary disease. The treatment needs of this cohort for WTC cough, FEV₁ decline, airway hyperreactivity, sarcoidosis, and WTC-LI underscore the importance of close longitudinal follow-up so that individualized treatment can be initiated after a unique exposure, such as WTC.

Future Directions in FDNY WTC Research

Cohort studies after non-WTC exposures such as tobacco or asbestos raise serious concerns that twenty years after 9/11 incidence rates for interstitial lung diseases and lung cancer may rise to levels not seen in the general population. The WTC Health Registry has reported an increased incidence rate for self-reported interstitial lung disease in those with the highest WTC exposure history [82]. FDNY is currently involved in a CT imaging study to determine whether radiologic-confirmed interstitial disease is increased compared to the general population. As for lung cancer, three WTC cohorts (FDNY, General Responder Cohort, and WTC Health Registry) have reported lower than expected rates when compared to the general population [16, 83–86]. This is likely due to lower rates of tobacco smoking and the fact that solid tumors may take more than 20 years to develop. Now more than ever lung cancer screening is critical as early diagnoses predict treatment success. A study comparing risk factor and model-based lung cancer screening in the FDNY WTC cohort found that several of the diagnosed lung cancers would have been missed if traditional guidelines were used for lung cancer screening [87]. The findings support the recent expansion by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) for CT lung cancer screening eligibility by lowering smoking history to ≥ 20 pack-years and age 50 years old in this WTC occupational cohort [88]. As commonly known, dyspnea is a symptom with multiple origins—not only of a pulmonary etiology but also cardiovascular. A recent study demonstrated incident rates of FDNY WTC-exposed rescue/recovery workers with cardiovascular disease, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, unstable angina, coronary artery surgery or angioplasty, or cardiovascular disease-related death, were highest in those with the greatest WTC exposure intensity, even when adjusted for smoking status and age [89]. Given that there is a strong relationship between metabolic syndrome, a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and WTC-LI; further studies are needed to explore the relationships between cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and WTC exposure.

Finally, the extensive longitudinal follow-up of the FDNY WTC exposure cohort will allow for a better understanding of risk factors for new and emerging conditions, such as the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). For example, a greater rate of FEV₁ decline is associated with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in FDNY WTC rescue/recovery workers [90]. Recently, Weiden et al. found the same risk factors to be associated with severe COVID-19 disease (defined as hospitalization or death) in the currently active FDNY workforce (30% of whom were WTC exposed) [91]. Further investigation of WTC-related health conditions as independent risk factors for severe COVID-19 are needed in WTC-exposed longitudinal cohorts.

Conclusion

In the days and months after 9/11, the FDNY reported the most common symptom in its workforce was cough, later termed “WTC cough syndrome” which was characterized with obstructive airways disease, GERD, and chronic rhinosinusitis. The most common pulmonary function abnormalities post-9/11 were accelerated decline in lung function and airways hyperreactivity. Causality to the WTC exposure was confirmed early on by demonstrating a dose–response relationship for many of these findings. Unlike other acute occupational exposures [34], the majority of FDNY WTC-exposed rescue/recovery workers did not recover their lung function to pre-9/11 levels. Later it became clear that there was a subset of FDNY responders who had developed accelerated lung function decline for several years after 9/11. Several studies have identified important biomarkers related to WTC-lung injury, such as CRP, IgE, MMP-1, GM-CSF, MDC, ApoAII, and ApoAI, while others have been found to be protective, such as MMP-12, MMP-3, GRO, and MCP-1 (Table 1). Although many of these biomarkers are not easily available in most laboratories, some may help predict the course of lung function and identify those who need closer monitoring and earlier intervention. Furthermore, these same studies suggest that metabolic syndrome is a unique risk factor and potential biomarker for WTC-LI and airway hyperreactivity which could be addressed clinically through lifestyle modifications such as that offered by the FIREHOUSE trial, a unique treatment approach to 9/11-related respiratory dysfunction. Studies have also demonstrated a relationship between systemic inflammatory conditions, such as sarcoidosis, with an increased incidence after 9/11 and a unique disease phenotype involving not only pulmonary disease but also cardiac and bone/joint involvement. Obstructive sleep apnea has also been associated with WTC exposure with a dose–response relationship, similar to other WTC-related health conditions. Much of the treatment efforts of WTC-related lung disease have focused on those who remain symptomatic and have not recovered their lung function. Early intervention with ICS and ICS-LABA inhalers reduced the risk of prolonged symptoms such as dyspnea and escalated treatment approaches have been required for sarcoidosis using anti-TNFα agents.

Several of the WTC-related pulmonary disease findings suggest unique underlying inflammatory pathways that may explain the prolonged prevalence of these conditions even 20 years after 9/11. Early identification of those with 9/11-related inflammatory conditions could help detect those who need closer monitoring and earlier treatment. As demonstrated with 9/11-related cardiac sarcoidosis, prompt monitoring and intervention could prevent progression of potentially fatal disease. Finally, future research not only will focus on understanding these pathways but also on their interrelationships with co-morbidities, such as aging, cardiovascular disease, cancers, autoimmune diseases, PTSD, and even new emerging conditions like COVID-19. The long-term, ongoing study of this unique WTC-exposed cohort, beginning even before 9/11, represents the first occupational study of its kind to provide quality longitudinal data similar to that of the original Framingham Heart Study [92, 93].

Funding

The funded was provided by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Grant Nos. 200-2017-93426 (World Trade Center Health Program Clinical Center of Excellence), 200-2017-93326 (World Trade Center Health Program Data Center), U01-OH11300, U01-OH011855 and U01-OH012069) and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (Grant No. R01HL119326).

Declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.