Mesothelioma Cases in the World Trade Center Survivors

Objectives: The destruction of the World Trade Center (WTC) towers in New York City on September 11, 2001 (9/11), released approximately 1 million tons of pulverized particulate matter throughout southern Manhattan and areas in Brooklyn, exposing community members and responders to high levels of potentially toxic environmental particles. Asbestos exposure was a health concern because of its use in certain sections of the WTC towers. Malignant mesothelioma, originating from the lining cells (mesothelium) of the peritoneal and pleural cavities, is one complication associated with asbestos exposure.

Methods: The WTC Environmental Health Center (WTC EHC) is a treatment and surveillance program for community members (Survivors) exposed to WTC dust and fumes.

Results: In this report, we describe four cases of mesothelioma in the WTC EHC as of July 1st, 2023. Two of our patients have been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma and two patients have been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma.

Conclusion: Given the known delay in the development of mesotheliomas after asbestos exposure, we provide information on these early mesothelioma cases to enhance the understanding of the adverse health effects of WTC exposures on the local community.