New York, NY – According to an online news report posted on medicalxpress.com, emergency first responders, people working in the World Trade Center, commuters, and people in the area who were exposed to toxic dust have a greater chance of developing liver disease. A new study suggests that people who were at the twin towers during […]
WTC Liver Disease Study
New York, NY – According to an online news report posted on medicalxpress.com, emergency first responders, people working in the World Trade Center, commuters, and people in the area who were exposed to toxic dust have a greater chance of developing liver disease. A new study suggests that people who were at the twin towers during and shortly after the building collapses were exposed to several toxic substances. WTC-connected liver disease is not a compensable injury at this time, but 9/11-connected liver injuries may be compensable injuries in the future.
For all important updates, please visit and bookmark our 9/11 Injury Compensation page. The attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP are investigating and pushing for liver disease to be added to the list of compensable medical conditions as covered by the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF).
Were You or a Loved One at the WTC One to Four Weeks After 9/11, and Develop One of the Following Liver Diseases:
According to researchers at Mount Sinai, there is new evidence that suggests World Trade Center emergency responders have a greater chance of developing several types of liver disease. Moreover, the risk rate increases for those who were at Ground Zero during the attacks or arrived right after the attacks. The article states that emergency first responders experienced the highest level of toxic dust exposure, which the Mount Sinai researchers believe is linked to several liver diseases.
The Mount Sinai study was published in the July 2021 publication of the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.
The liver’s primary function is to filter toxic substances from the blood from the body’s digestive tract before transferring the filtered blood back into the body’s circulatory system. The liver also metabolizes drugs and detoxifies chemicals. The study believes that they found a link between toxic substance exposure at Ground Zero and early signs of liver damage such as hepatic steatosis. Hepatic steatosis is commonly associated with toxic chemical exposure.
On 9/11 in New York City, over 20,000 emergency first responders were exposed to chemicals, dust, and particles in the air that are known to cause liver toxicity. The toxic substances increase the risk for developing toxicant-associated fatty liver disease, which includes toxicant-associated steatohepatitis. Toxicant-associated steatohepatitis is the most severe form of fatty liver disease and often leads to liver failure and liver cancer. As part of a federal World Trade Center Health Program, Mount Sinai monitors the health of affected emergency responders under the car and direction of Michael Crane, MD.
The study’s senior author, Dr. Claudia Henschke, a professor at the Icahn School of Medicine, confirmed that additional monitoring for liver disease is necessary in 9/11 World Trade Center emergency responders, recovery workers, fire, law enforcement, and workers. Those who are at the highest risk include people who were at or those who arrived at Ground Zero shortly after the attacks since they sustained the highest toxic dust exposure.
Dr. Claudia Henschke stated that there are no orders to monitor responders for signs of liver disease, and the study proves that continued study of the at-risk population must continue.
Mount Sinai Researchers identified liver disease by examining lung scans of 1,788 World Trade Center emergency first responders who are being monitored by Mount Sinai’s World Trade Center Health Program Clinical Center of Excellence. The researchers created an algorithm that uncovered the presence of liver disease using lung scans. The diagnostic algorithm detects liver lower density, which is an indication of hepatic steatosis. The study discovered that more than 14 percent of emergency first responders had liver disease. Researchers also discovered that emergency first responders who arrived within two weeks of the September 11 attacks suffered higher toxic dust exposure and had signs of liver disease in their scans. The responders who exhibited substantial low liver density and are now being assessed for potential referrals to liver specialists.
Dr. Artit Jirapatnakul, the study’s first author and an assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, stated that their previous work discovered that the signs of liver disease were three times greater in the lung scans of Ground Zero emergency responders when compared to the lung scans of other patients. Dr. Jirapatnakul believes that the new study proves that emergency first responders at Ground Zero need to receive “enhanced monitoring for liver disease.” Dr. Artit Jirapatnakul stated that the next step is to learn how or why the toxic dust is causing liver damage.
While liver disease is not a compensable injury, it is possible that additional research will change this in the future. Parker Waichman LLP is aware of this new study, and our attorneys can inform if liver disease ever becomes a compensable claim. Simply contact our firm to be placed on our contact list by using our live chat or calling 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529).
