A new study led by researchers from the Stony Brook World Trade Center (WTC) Health and Wellness Program has found a significant increase in lung cancer rates among 9/11 responders who experienced higher levels of toxic exposure at Ground Zero. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed health data from over 12,000 responders monitored at Stony Brook University between July 2012 and the end of 2023.
The average age of participants was just over 49 years. Over the course of the study, 118 responders developed lung cancer. Those with more severe exposures to dust and chemicals—especially those who did not consistently use personal protective equipment (PPE)—had nearly three times the rate of lung cancer compared to those with minimal exposure.
“We discovered that responders with more severe exposures to WTC dust had up to 2.9 times greater risk of developing lung cancer compared to minimally exposed responders working on the pile who reported low dust exposure or used personal protective equipment (PPE),” said Sean Clouston, lead author and director of research for the Program in Public Health at Stony Brook University.
Clouston explained that primary exposures included dust, fumes from burning toxic materials, and sewage odors. The increased incidence remained even after adjusting for demographic factors and smoking habits.
Co-author Paolo Boffetta, MD, associate director for population sciences in the Stony Brook Cancer Center, noted: “Previous studies did not identify any such link between lung cancer and WTC responders because of the short latency of exposures and low smoking rates in WTC responder populations.”
The authors state this is the first published study to connect specific types or severity of WTC exposure with increased lung cancer incidence among affected populations.
Researchers plan to continue studying this group as more time passes since the initial exposures. They aim to refine measurements of exposure types, validate which exposures most directly impact lung cancer risk, and determine if cancers identified share characteristics.
To help reduce future cases, investigators recommend tobacco control measures and participation in regular lung cancer screenings for early detection.
Funding for this research came partly from grants provided by the National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control.