Case report: Lung disease in world trade center responders exposed to dust and smoke: Carbon nanotubes found in the lungs of world trade center patients and dust samples Journal Article


Authors: Wu, M.; Gordon, R. E.; Herbert, R.; Padilla, M.; Moline, J.; Mendelson, D.; Litle, V.; Travis, W. D.; Gil, J.
Article Title: Case report: Lung disease in world trade center responders exposed to dust and smoke: Carbon nanotubes found in the lungs of world trade center patients and dust samples
Abstract: Context: After the collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC) on 11 September 2001, a dense cloud of dust containing high levels of airborne pollutants covered Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn, New York. Between 60,000 and 70,000 responders were exposed. Many reported adverse health effects. Case presentation: In this report we describe clinical, pathologic, and mineralogic findings in seven previously healthy responders who were exposed to WTC dust on either 11 September or 12 September 2001, who developed severe respiratory impairment or unexplained radiologic findings and underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical lung biopsy procedures at Mount Sinai Medical Center. WTC dust samples were also examined. We found that three of the seven responders had severe or moderate restrictive disease clinically. Histopathology showed interstitial lung disease consistent with small airways disease, bronchiolocentric parenchymal disease, and nonnecrotizing granulomatous condition. Tissue mineralogic analyses showed variable amounts of sheets of aluminum and magnesium silicates, chrysotile asbestos, calcium phosphate, and calcium sulfate. Small shards of glass containing mostly silica and magnesium were also found. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) of various sizes and lengths were noted. CNT were also identified in four of seven WTC dust samples. Discussion: These findings confirm the previously reported association between WTC dust exposure and bronchiolar and interstitial lung disease. Long-term monitoring of responders will be needed to elucidate the full extent of this problem. The finding of CNT in both WTC dust and lung tissues is unexpected and requires further study.
Keywords: adult; clinical article; middle aged; histopathology; chemical analysis; lung disease; dyspnea; pneumonia; lung; silicon dioxide; interstitial lung disease; asthma; forced expiratory volume; lung biopsy; lung function test; environmental exposure; video assisted thoracoscopic surgery; satiety; chronic obstructive lung disease; bronchitis; abdominal disease; lung diseases; calcium phosphate; bronchiolitis; small airway disease; bronchiectasis; granulomatous inflammation; carbon nanotube; nanotubes, carbon; carbon nanotubes; wtc; aluminum silicate; calcium sulfate; chrysotile; magnesium silicate; dust exposure; forced vital capacity; rescue personnel; smoke; terrorism; victim; dust; september 11 terrorist attacks
Journal Title: Environmental Health Perspectives
Volume: 118
Issue: 4
ISSN: 0091-6765
Publisher: US Department of Health and Human Services  
Date Published: 2010-04-01
Start Page: 499
End Page: 504
Language: English
DOI: 10.1289/ehp.0901159
PUBMED: 20368128
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC2854726
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 3" - "Export Date: 20 April 2011" - "Source: Scopus"
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  1. William D Travis
    743 Travis