Related Experiment Videos
Occupational exposures during the World Trade Center disaster response
1National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 4676 Columbia Parkway (R-11), Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA. kwallingford@cdc.gov
Toxicology and Industrial Health
|January 24, 2003
Summary
Occupational exposure monitoring at the World Trade Center disaster site found most workers had safe levels of hazards. However, some workers faced overexposure to cadmium and carbon monoxide (CO) due to specific tools used during rescue and recovery.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Occupational Safety
- Toxicology
Background:
- Following the World Trade Center disaster, occupational exposures for emergency responders were a significant concern.
- The New York City Department of Health requested monitoring of hazardous exposures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess and characterize occupational exposures among emergency response workers.
- To compare exposure levels against established occupational exposure limits.
Main Methods:
- Collected over 1,200 air and bulk samples from September 18 to October 4, 2001.
- Analyzed samples for a range of chemical hazards including asbestos, carbon monoxide, metals, and volatile organic compounds.
Main Results:
- Most analyzed exposures were below NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limits and OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits.
- One worker exposed to cadmium and another to carbon monoxide (CO) exceeded exposure limits.
- Elevated cadmium and CO levels were linked to the use of oxy-acetylene torches and gasoline-powered saws.
Conclusions:
- While most exposures were within safe limits, specific tasks posed risks.
- Recommendations included improving ventilation, enhancing worker training on tool use, and considering battery-powered alternatives to gasoline-powered tools.