The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Effects still felt
Some 9/11 firefighters may have higher heart risks now
Firefighters who arrived early or spent more time at the World Trade Center site after the 9/11 attacks seem to have a modestly higher risk of developing heart problems than those who came later or stayed less, doctors reported Friday.
The research might have implications for any efforts to expand the list of health problems eligible for payment from a victim compensation fund.
The study has some big limitations and can’t prove that dust or anything else about the disaster caused increased heart risks. It also doesn’t compare the New York firefighters to the general population or to other responders such as paramedics or construction workers.
But it does suggest that working at the site raised risk for some firefighters more than others. Those who arrived by noon that day had a 44% greater chance of suffering a heart problem in the years since the attack compared to firefighters who came hours or days later.
Risk was 33% higher for those who worked there during six or more months versus less time.
That may sound large but heart problems were fairly uncommon — only about 5% of these firefighters developed one.
“This is a modest increase, not an epidemic,” said one study leader, Dr. David Prezant, chief medical officer of the Fire Department of the City of New York. However, “this risk increases over time; it doesn’t disappear.”
Results of the federally funded study were published in the journal JAMA Network Open.
It tracked the health of 9,796 male firefighters through 2017 — 16 years after the collapse of the twin towers exposed many to a cloud of thick dust and particles from fires that burned for days. Female firefighters were excluded because there were only 25 and their heart risks may differ.
Medical records were available for years before the attacks, so researchers could consider high blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking and other factors.
They documented 489 heart problems since the disaster, including 120 heart attacks and roughly 300 procedures or surgeries for clogged arteries. Risks were higher among the 1,600 firefighters who arrived at the site by noon on Sept. 11, 2001, and among the 2,400 who worked there during six months or more.
There are good records on arrival times but less on duration at the site, making that result less reliable. Being counted as having worked one month could be one day during that month or 30 days.
Judith Graber, a researcher at Rutgers School of Public Health who has studied other 9/11 responders, called the research “very well conducted” and said “the important thing is the accumulation of evidence” suggesting increased risk.
Prezant said some other studies found signs suggesting a greater risk of heart problems, which are not covered now by the program that treats responders or the victim compensation fund. He said administrators will need more information to decide whether to include those conditions for any groups, such as firefighters who responded early.
“This adds to the evidence but it doesn’t guarantee coverage,” Prezant said.
Dr. Nieca Goldberg, a cardiologist at NYU Langone Health and an American Heart Association spokeswoman, said 9/11 responders must stay alert for possible problems.
“Everyone needs to know potential symptoms of a heart attack so they can get rapid care,” she said.
Marilynn Marchione can be followed at http://twitter.com/ MMarchioneAP
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Yard sale: Have you sale in our yard on Sept. 21 from 9 to 3 at Heritage Presbyterian Church, 515 N. Leavitt Road. Outside spaces available. Call 988-9409 for more information. Conscious Parenting program: Unity Spiritual Center Westlake is committed to transforming relationships with children, according to a news release. On Sept. 22, Rev. Barbara Hribar will share an orientation session on Conscious Parenting. This is an opportunity for parents, grandparents and others who work with children to build a new bridge to meaningful relationships with the children in their lives. Class participants will learn problem solving, life skills and how to find greater compassion and understanding of their children. This will help to improve confidence in relationships and an ability to better connect with their children. Conscious Parenting will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. at Unity Spiritual Center Westlake, 23855 Detroit Road, Westlake. This class is based on the Conscious Discipline Program which was developed by Dr. Becky Bailey. Dr. Bailey is internationally renowned for her research in developmental psychology and is dedicated to helping adults shift from negative fear-based parenting to a commitment of positive, loving relationships with children. Rev. Barbara Hribar has presented Conscious Discipline programs to several hundred teachers and parents through preschools, HeadStart, and at Unity of Medina. The orientation session will provide participants with a general knowledge of Conscious Parenting and will support participants in discerning whether they would like to take it deeper by attending three additional class sessions. These class sessions will take place on Sunday, Oct. 6, 13 and 20 from 1-3 p.m. Rev. Barbara will discuss specific topics and activities in those classes based on the questions asked by the participants of the Sept. 22 orientation session. A freewill offering for the orientation session is suggested but not required. The fee for the three classes is $45 for the series. Register online at www.uscwestlake.org. For more information about events, classes and other services available at Unity Spiritual Center Westlake, contact Roberta McLaughlin at unityinfo@uscwestlake.org, 440-835-0400 or visit www.uscwestlake.org. Unity World Day of Prayer: All are invited to participate in Unity World Day of Prayer, a 24-hour prayer vigil and meditation that joins together thousands of people around the world. A variety of activities will be open to the public during the prayer vigil including a labyrinth walk and activities at a variety of prayer stations. A schedule of activities will be available at www.uscwestlake.org. In Westlake, this event will be held from 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11 to 8 p.m. Sept. 12 at Unity Spiritual Center, 23855 Detroit Road, Westlake. Prayer requests may be submitted in person or online at www. unityspiritualcenter.com/ prayer-request. Thousands of people will join Silent Unity®—an international, trans-denominational, 24⁄7 prayer ministry— and Unity churches around the world on Sept. 12, for Unity World Day of Prayer. The theme of the 24-hour prayer event is “Infinite Presence, Unlimited Potential.” This year’s affirmation is: I celebrate the vast possibilities for my life. “World Day of Prayer gives us an opportunity to come together in celebration of our oneness with God, each other, and our world. Through prayer we unite in celebration and intention”, said Rev. Joanne Rowden, senior minister of Unity Spiritual Center Westlake. People of all faiths are welcome. This event is free. Reservations are not required. For more information about events, classes and other services available at Unity Spiritual Center Westlake, contact Roberta McLaughlin at unityinfo@uscwestlake. org, 440-835-0400 or visit www.uscwestlake. org. Unity Spiritual Center Westlake is located at 23855 Detroit Rd., Westlake, OH 44145.
Clothing sale: Cornerstone Church, 2949 W. River Road N., Elyria, will hold a clothing sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 5. Cost is $1 a bag (resusable bag provided). Concessions will be available. The church will also host a spaghetti dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 12. It will include spaghetti with meatballs, garlic bread, salad dessert and beverage. Cost is $8 for adults, $6 for children 10 and younger. For more details on either event, call 440-324-1202. St. Stanislaus Church picnic: Members of the former St. Stanislaus Church of Lorain will have its annual picnic reunion from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at Lakeview Park, in the large gazebo. The event costs $3 per person. Participants should bring a dish to share. Reservations need to be made by Sept. 3. For more information, call Kay 440-245-8063 or Donna 440-960-0490.
Lorain services: Full Gospel Faith Fellowship, 1901 North Ridge Road, Lorain, holds Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. and services at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. All are welcome.
Worship service: Community Congregational United Church of Christ, 379 S. Main St. Amherst, hosts worship service and Sunday School (for ages 3 and older) at 10 a.m. every Sunday. Nursery care is provided for those 3 and under. Communion is held the first Sunday of every month. For information, call 440-988-9148.
Worship service: Old Stone Evangelical Church, 553 S. Main St., Amherst, will host a worship service at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. For questions or further information, call 440-9847074 or email oldstone@ twc.com.
Senior lunch bunch: Cornerstone Church, 2949 W. River Road, N. Elyria, will host a Free Community Senior Lunch Bunch from noon to 1:30 p.m., the second Tuesday of every month Come enjoy a free lunch and speaker offering information to seniors in our community. For information call 440-3241202. Sunday school: Faith Baptist Church, 440 N. Lake St. Amherst, will host Sunday school for all ages at 9:30 a.m. followed by the worship service at 11 a.m. on Sunday. For details, call 440-988-8255
Free community meal: the last Sunday of every month from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Journey of Faith Church in North Ridgeville cooks and serves a fresh hot meal for those in need in the community. To know more about the community meals or what the church is up to, check out our website at journeyoffaithchurch.com. On