Twenty-five years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, the physical and health consequences of the disaster continue to affect thousands of survivors and first responders.
The attacks killed 2,977 people, whose names are now memorialised at the National September 11 Memorial in New York. However, the impact of the attacks extended far beyond the day itself, with toxic dust and smoke released following the collapse of the World Trade Center towers being linked to long-term health problems among people who lived, worked or responded at Ground Zero.
The dust contained a complex mixture of hazardous substances, including asbestos and other contaminants. According to reports, concerns over air quality in Lower Manhattan emerged soon after the attacks, while questions have continued over how the health risks were communicated to the public.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently said asbestos was found “nearly everywhere” when Ground Zero was tested. He also said that people became ill after being assured that the air was safe to breathe. The mayor has announced plans to release 170,000 documents related to the attacks.
Health research over the past two decades has documented persistent illnesses among 9/11 responders and survivors. The University of Rochester has reported associations between 9/11 exposure and respiratory diseases, mental health conditions and several types of cancer. Researchers have also highlighted populations that received less attention in the immediate aftermath, including Lower Manhattan residents and children.
Health conditions linked to 9/11 exposure
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists several categories of health conditions associated with exposure following the attacks, including:
- Respiratory and aerodigestive disorders, including asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and sleep apnea
- Cancers associated with 9/11 exposure
- Mental and behavioural health conditions, including PTSD, depression and substance-use disorders
- Musculoskeletal disorders, including lower back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome
- Acute traumatic injuries, including burns, fractures and sprains
Research involving 9/11 first responders has also found a significant burden of chronic health conditions. A study involving more than 34,000 responders reported commonly observed conditions including headaches, respiratory disease, GERD, diabetes and post-traumatic stress disorder.
A health crisis that outlasted the attack
The 9/11 attacks remain one of the most significant terrorist attacks in modern history, but their health consequences have continued to unfold over decades.
For first responders who spent weeks and months working at Ground Zero, as well as residents, workers and survivors exposed to the dust, the aftermath has included chronic respiratory illness, cancers and psychological conditions.
The continuing research into 9/11-related illnesses highlights that the disaster was not limited to the lives lost on September 11, 2001. For many survivors and responders, exposure to the toxic environment created by the attacks became the beginning of a long-term health struggle.