Research outcomes

On the 25th anniversary of the attacks, this report reflects on the long-term physical and mental health consequences of exposure, the program’s continued monitoring, and the lasting burden on FDNY members and families.

Marking the 20th anniversary, this update reports that nearly 16,000 FDNY members were exposed during the rescue and recovery effort, and more than 200 have since died of WTC-related illness.

Documents rising rates of cancers and autoimmune disease among the workforce — findings that helped extend the Zadroga Act's federal funding for 75 more years.

Shares what the Department gathered on the physical and mental health effects of 9/11 on its membership, 2001–2007.

A longitudinal study of whether bronchial hyperreactivity persisted after the collapse, and whether early measures predicted reactive airway disease at 6 months.

Airway obstruction was the leading physiologic finding behind reduced lung function in FDNY rescue workers evaluated after 9/11.

Examines whether WTC dust exposure increased the incidence of sarcoidosis or sarcoid-like granulomatous pulmonary disease in FDNY rescue workers.

Tracks respiratory symptoms and lung function changes among first responders and rescue workers following the collapse.

Characterizes longer-term trends in forced expiratory volume (FEV1) among FDNY rescue workers across the 7 years after 9/11.

Looks at whether arrival time at the WTC site and respirator use were associated with symptoms and pulmonary function changes.

Examines AAT deficiency, a known risk factor for obstructive airway disease, in the context of WTC-related lung function decline.

Reports on cough, dyspnea, reflux, and a significant one-year decline in lung volumes among exposed firefighters.

Tracks PTSD risk trends among WTC-exposed firefighters in relation to exposure, social support, and functional health.

The longest published follow-up of probable PTSD among FDNY firefighters who took part in the rescue and recovery effort.

Identifies distinct risk factors behind the high rates of comorbid depression and PTSD reported in earlier WTC studies.

Evaluates the self-report PTSD Checklist against clinician-administered interviews in firefighters who worked at Ground Zero.

Analyzes how the WTC attack and recovery effort affected firefighter retirements and the FDNY pension system's finances.

Tests whether acute and chronic WTC site exposure was associated with new-onset systemic autoimmune disease.