Physical and mental health symptoms among NYC transit workers seven and one-half months after the WTC attacks

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Abstract
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 7½ 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. Am. J. Ind. Med. 47:475–483, 2005. Published 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.