107th Congress

Testimony on Environmental Health Problems

Kenneth Olden, Ph.D., Director
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
National Institutes of Health
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
March 6, 2002

Madam Chairperson and Members of the Committee,

I am pleased to appear before this distinguished panel to discuss the involvement of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in addressing the potential long-term health effects from exposure to the environmental pollutants derived from the explosion, fire, and collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City on September eleventh.

INTRODUCTION

The mission of NIEHS is to develop the science base to prevent the contribution of the environment to human illness or disease. This is achieved through basic research, population-based studies, behavioral or community-based research, and clinical investigations.

Although most of the visible environmental problems of the 1950s and 1960s have been ameliorated, massive quantities of toxic agents are still polluting our environment. This includes chemicals that are known to be animal and human carcinogens and neuro-, immuno-, or developmental toxicants. Whether current levels of exposure to these agents are contributing to the high incidence of cancer, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, asthma, autism, learning disabilities, diabetes, or other complex disorders is a matter of considerable concern.

It is now well established that such complex diseases are caused by multi-factorial interactions of genes and environment. That is, no single factor is responsible for the development of complex diseases; genetic predisposition, exposure to environmental agents, behavior, gender, diet and nutrition, and age or stage of development may be contributors. Genes are only a small part of our make-up; the environment has a spectacular impact on one's health status. That is, genes exert their influence with certain environmental constraints. Genes may "load the dice" in favor or against the development of a specific disease, but do not dictate when, or if, a specific illness will develop. Therefore, to prevent the development of common diseases will require an understanding of the contribution of both genes and the environment to their development.

Background of NIEHS Involvement

Over the past 35 years, the NIEHS has supported the development of a cadre of first-rate researchers in environmental health sciences. More than 100 of these researchers are affiliated with five major NIEHS-supported environmental health research centers in the New York area and Baltimore. They are among the best environmental health scientists in the world. Because of their expertise and national visibility, many of them were contacted by city and state officials to seek their advice on health assessment and environmental remediation decisions following the attack on the WTC. These investigators have access to technological resources and have the experience necessary to manage both the short term and the long range environmental threats posed by this massive environmental pollution episode. Since September 11, they have been engaged in numerous activities in the following general areas: exposure assessment, epidemiology, medical care and clinical evaluations, and community outreach and education. I am certain that the principal investigators responsible for these activities would be pleased to discuss their results and future plans with this Committee.

In addition to the research and outreach activities just mentioned, NIEHS played an important role in the rescue, recovery and cleanup effort through our Hazardous Waste Worker Education and Training Program. The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) established a program for training and education of workers engaged in activities related to hazardous waste removal, containment, and emergency response. Grant recipients are non-profit organizations with demonstrated access to appropriate worker populations and experience in implementing and operating worker health and safety education training programs. The NIEHS was given responsibility for establishing and managing this program. Since its inception, this program has trained nearly one million hazardous waste workers.

Several thousand workers have been and continue to be involved in demolition and cleanup work at Ground Zero. In addition to the routine dangers involved in cutting and removing construction debris, workers may also be exposed to a host of toxicological hazards. OSHA and other agencies require workers to have specialized training so they can work safely under these dangerous conditions. Many members of the emergency response and hazardous waste workers involved in the rescue, recovery and clean-up activities received their health and safety training in the NIEHS funded programs. The Hazardous Waste Worker Education and Training Program responded immediately following September 11 and continues to offer assistance in worker safety and health issues.

Immediately after the attacks, NIEHS leadership, staff and grantees determined that there were a number of immediate and long-term needs that would require coordinated planning, execution and analysis to assess the impact on the environment and the health risks to workers and the general population. Providing the knowledge base necessary to make informed decisions regarding the health risks associated with the WTC attacks requires a multidisciplinary, multi-project approach that will incorporate exposure assessment with epidemiology studies and mechanisms for public input and communication of information. Supplemental funds have been provided by NIEHS to initiate these activities and additional funding will be available in the near future.

Exposure Assessment

On September 11, 2001, more than one million tons of steel, insulation, paper products, office equipment, computers, and dust fell in lower Manhattan. The heat, caused by the explosions and fires, combined with the burning of asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), concrete, steel, furniture, insulation, and computers created a cloud that contained a mix of chemicals, particulates, and smoke. The long-term health effects of inhalation of these pollutants are currently unknown as no similar exposure has ever occurred. Additionally, these effects may not be fully known for years to come.

To date, several NIEHS-funded organizations have assessed and evaluated the levels of various agents present in and around Ground Zero. Information from the analysis of these samples will provide a baseline for researchers to continue assessing the exposures to people who live and work in the area.

Epidemiology

Exposure to the contaminants and toxicants that were released into the air when the WTC collapsed may have both short- and long-term effects on the health of people living and working in and around the area. Epidemiological studies will not only help identify relationships between specific populations and disease states, but will also help determine courses of treatment and protocols to decrease and minimize such exposures to other people in the same population. As I mentioned before, many of the researchers in the New York area have already begun various epidemiological studies to assess these effects and they are currently developing additional studies to further include all potentially exposed populations.

Outreach and Education

With all the information being collected and all the research that is currently underway, there is a significant need to keep the public informed of the results and proposed actions that should be taken to minimize potential toxic exposures. There also need to be mechanisms by which the community can ask questions and talk to experts about specific concerns. Since September 11, NIEHS-funded research centers have conducted seminars and consultations and have developed information packets for the community. For example, researchers have:

• Consulted with the Parents Association of Stuyvesant High School regarding environmental exposures.
• Conducted community forums in different neighborhoods in Manhattan to share information about available resources and services and information about environmental health aspects of the attacks.
• Developed a website with environmental health information for the public.
• Developed a dust reduction brochure for residents.
• Developed fact sheets regarding health concerns for Ground Zero workers, building occupants, and community residents.
• Established an information line to answer questions for workers, and the community.
• Providing consultation to the Port Authority Health and Safety Departments.

Additional activities that are proposed are town meetings, development of additional educational materials, development of a comprehensive WTC website that addresses WTC environmental health issues, school assistance for emergency response preparedness, risk communication workshops for emergency room personnel and media, and healthcare provider training.

I appreciate the opportunity to provide highlights of the activities of NIEHS-funded researchers in response to the WTC event of September 11. I would be happy to answer any questions that you may have