Parker Waichman Comments Study Reveals Cardiac Issues Tied to Exposure to 9/11 Attacks

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y., Aug. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Parker Waichman LLP, a national law firm that has long fought for the heroes and survivors of the September 11th terrorist attacks, comments that, according to a July 17, 2017 report by Injury Epidemiology concerning research concerning the thousands of people who were exposed to intense dust exposure and extremely high levels of hazardous and dangerous materials. This exposure has led to reports of "increased levels of asthma, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic diseases along with psychological illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)." (https://injepijournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40621-017-0115-x)

Only a few studies have studied single exposure disease association such as a dust cloud and asthma and heart disease. This study extended known events of the attacks, investigating the health consequences of immediate, short-term, acute exposures and chronic disease. This study also utilized what is known as proportional hazards methods to determine adjusted hazard ratios for ties between several components of acute exposures such as injury and immersion in the dust cloud. The study also looked at four chronic disease outcomes: Asthma, other non-neoplastic lung diseases, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, in 8,701 individuals who did not have any of these conditions before being exposed to the attacks and who were physically present during or immediately following the World Trade Center attacks in New York City. Participants were followed prospectively for up to 11 years after the attacks, according to Injury Epidemiology.

The researchers concluded that they "demonstrated that the acute exposures of injury and dust cloud that were sustained" due to the attacks had "significant associations with later heart and respiratory diseases" and called for continued monitoring of these exposed individuals. Study authors were the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Injury Epidemiology reported.

"Parker Waichman has long fought to ensure that first responders, rescue and recovery workers, and other survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks receive the medical care and compensation they deserve," said Keith Gitman, Managing Attorney at the firm. "This research further shows that these individuals will continue to need medical care and compensation," he added.

Parker Waichman emphasizes the importance of the Zadroga programs—The World Trade Center Health Program and the Victims Compensation Fund—and vows to continue its efforts to safeguard those exposed to the World Trade Center attack and the toxic plume that followed the attack. To determine eligibility under the Act, please visit the Parker Waichman's website or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636). http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/zadroga-act-wtc-world-trade-center-claims-lawyer-attorney-lawsuit)

SOURCE Parker Waichman LLP