Scientists to Study September 11's Child Survivors

Around 25,000 children lived or attended school near the World Trade Center during the 11 September 2001 attacks. Although they were exposed to a toxic cloud of dust containing asbestos, glass fibers, crushed concrete and other harmful substances, few were included in subsequent health research.

That earlier research focused mainly on first responders and other adults. As a result, researchers have been unable to systematically track chronic diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and reproductive health problems, that may only now be emerging, as the children exposed are now in their 30s and early 40s.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that it will seek researchers to establish a special coordination center and research group. The study will focus on people who were 21 years old or younger at the time of the attacks, or who were still in the womb, and who lived in specific areas of Manhattan or Brooklyn. Researchers will compare them with peers who were not exposed to the toxic substances.

Doctors warn that finding participants scattered across the United States will be challenging. However, the research could yield insights that could also help protect children in current war zones.

(Reuters, max)