title: Lung pathologic findings in a local residential and working community exposed to World Trade Center dust, gas, and fumes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe pathologic findings in symptomatic World Trade Center-exposed local workers, residents, and cleanup workers enrolled in a treatment program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients underwent surgical lung biopsy for suspected interstitial lung disease (group 1, n = 6) or abnormal pulmonary function tests (group 2, n = 6). High-resolution computed axial tomography and pathologic findings were coded. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High-resolution computed axial tomography showed reticular findings (group 1) or normal or airway-related findings (group 2). Pulmonary function tests were predominantly restrictive. Interstitial fibrosis, emphysematous change, and small airway abnormalities were seen. All cases had opaque and birefringent particles within macrophages, and examined particles contained silica, aluminum silicates, titanium dioxide, talc, and metals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In symptomatic World Trade Center-exposed individuals, pathologic findings suggest a common exposure resulting in alveolar loss and a diverse response to injury.
authors.affiliation: NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: Caralee E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Caplan-Shaw
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yee
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Jerrold L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.forename: Sam S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Parsia
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Naidich
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borczuk
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: Maria C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Shiau
authors.forename: Jane P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Geraldine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brusca-Augello
authors.forename: Kenneth I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: Roberta M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Goldring
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reibman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000032:analysis; D001980:Bronchi / Q000473:pathology*; D001995:Bronchography; D004391:Dust; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005740:Gases / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000737:chemistry; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D047851:September 11 Terrorist Attacks; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D013147:Spirometry; D013627:Talc / Q000032:analysis; D014025:Titanium / Q000032:analysis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D004391:Dust; D005740:Gases; D013627:Talc; C009495:titanium dioxide; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D014025:Titanium