Lung-Scarring Disease Found In WTC Staff

By RICHARD STEIER

Thirteen firefighters and Emergency Medical Service workers who were deployed during the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site have contracted a lung disease medical experts believe may be traceable to that work.

JIM SLEVIN: Findings 'no surprise.'

A study conducted by doctors from the FDNY - including Deputy Chief Medical Officer David J. Prezant - and Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that those workers comprised half the group that has contracted sarcoidosis in the five years following 9/11. The total number of cases exceeds the number diagnosed for the previous 15 years combined.

Disabling Condition

Sarcoidosis occurs when the lungs and other organs develop inflammation that produces lumps of cells called granulomas. Among the Fire Department employees who have the disease, five have been granted disability retirements and five others have applications under review.

The study was published last week in Chest Journal, a medical publication.

Uniformed Firefighters' Association Vice President Jim Slevin said of the findings, "It's no big surprise to see this much higher rate of lung disease in firefighters who were down there post-9/11. We knew there were bad things in the air."

The stricken FDNY employees have an average age of 39. According to the study, among the 26 persons who have contracted sarcoidosis, 24 said they had never smoked tobacco.

Fire Department employees undergo an annual physical test, meaning that the signs of the disease likely would have turned up prior to 9/11 if it was not related to their work at the Trade Center site.