Physical and mental health symptoms among NYC transit workers seven and one-half months after the WTC attacks.
BACKGROUND
On September 11, 2001, 600-800 New York City transit (NYCT) workers were working near the World Trade Center (WTC) Towers. After the disaster, employees reported physical and mental health symptoms related to the event.


METHODS
Two hundred sixty-nine NYC transit employees were surveyed for mental and physical health symptoms 7(1/2) months after the WTC disaster.


RESULTS
Workers in the dust cloud at the time of the WTC collapse had significantly higher risk of persistent lower respiratory (OR = 9.85; 95% CI: 2.24, 58.93) and mucous membrane (OR = 4.91; 95% CI: 1.53, 16.22) symptoms, depressive symptoms (OR = 2.48; 95% CI: 1.12, 5.51), and PTSD symptoms (OR = 2.91; 95% CI: 1.003, 8.16) compared to those not exposed to the dust cloud. Additional WTC exposures and potential confounders were also analyzed.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical follow up for physical and psychological health conditions should be provided for public transportation workers in the event of a catastrophic event.
Tapp
Loren C
LC
Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA. let7@cdc.gov
Baron
Sherry
S
Bernard
Bruce
B
Driscoll
Richard
R
Mueller
Charles
C
Wallingford
Ken
K
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D016272:Occupational Health; D015995:Prevalence; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D047851:September 11 Terrorist Attacks / Q000523:psychology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014186:Transportation; D000078329:Workforce
D004391:Dust