Pulmonary function in a cohort of New York City Police Department emergency responders since the 2001 World Trade Center disaster.

OBJECTIVE Comparing pulmonary function since the 2001 World Trade Center disaster, with preexposure data, in a New York City Police Department Emergency Responder cohort, without history of repetitive respiratory exposures. METHODS A total of 206 New York City Police Department Emergency Services Unit members reported Arrival Time, Exposure Location, Duration, Smoking History, Respirator Mask Usage, and Respiratory Symptoms, and underwent clinical evaluation and follow-up spirometry, in 2002 and 2007. RESULTS A mean decline in forced vital capacity of 190 mL (3.7%) was observed 1-year postexposure in 2002, and 330 mL (6.4%) in 2007, compared with baseline data. Forced expiratory volume in the first second was not significantly changed in 2002 but declined 160 mL (3.9%) after 5 further years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Abnormal spirometry was observed in (5.3%) of subjects, particularly individuals experiencing higher Exposure Intensity, Duration, or Respiratory Symptoms. The small number of smokers and subjects failing to wear protective respiratory masks showed greater declines.