9/11-Related Experiences and Tasks of Landfill and Barge Workers: Qualitative Analysis from the World Trade Center Health Registry

Christine C Ekenga,Mark R Farfel,James E Cone,Katherine E Scheu,Steven D Stellman

doi:10.1186/1471-2458-11-321

Abstract

BackgroundFew studies have documented the experiences of individuals who participated in the recovery and cleanup efforts at the World Trade Center Recovery Operation at Fresh Kills Landfill, on debris loading piers, and on transport barges after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack.MethodsSemi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of workers and volunteers from the World Trade Center Health Registry. Qualitative methods were used to analyze the narratives.ResultsTwenty workers and volunteers were interviewed. They described the transport of debris to the Landfill via barges, the tasks and responsibilities associated with their post-9/11 work at the Landfill, and their reflections on their post-9/11 experiences. Tasks included sorting through debris, recovering human remains, searching for evidence from the terrorist attacks, and providing food and counseling services. Exposures mentioned included dust, fumes, and odors. Eight years after the World Trade Center disaster, workers expressed frustration about poor risk communication during recovery and cleanup work. Though proud of their contributions in the months after 9/11, some participants were concerned about long-term health outcomes.ConclusionsThis qualitative study provided unique insight into the experiences, exposures, and concerns of understudied groups of 9/11 recovery and cleanup workers. The findings are being used to inform the development of subsequent World Trade Center Health Registry exposure and health assessments.

Highlights

Few studies have documented the experiences of individuals who participated in the recovery and cleanup efforts at the World Trade Center Recovery Operation at Fresh Kills Landfill, on debris loading piers, and on transport barges after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack
Compared to Ground Zero workers, less is known about the experiences and health outcomes of barge and landfill workers who transported and processed more than 1.8 million tons of debris removed from Ground Zero as part of the recovery effort and the post-disaster criminal investigation [12]
Exposures at Fresh Kills, including bacteria, diesel exhaust, dusts, heavy metals, and medical waste, have been a source of concern among Landfill workers even prior to 9/11 [13]. This qualitative study was designed to investigate the experiences and perceptions of persons enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Registry who performed 9/11-related work at the Landfill, on a debris loading pier or on a transport barge

Summary

Introduction

Few studies have documented the experiences of individuals who participated in the recovery and cleanup efforts at the World Trade Center Recovery Operation at Fresh Kills Landfill, on debris loading piers, and on transport barges after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. Exposures at Fresh Kills, including bacteria, diesel exhaust, dusts, heavy metals, and medical waste, have been a source of concern among Landfill workers even prior to 9/11 [13]. This qualitative study was designed to investigate the experiences and perceptions of persons enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Registry who performed 9/11-related work at the Landfill, on a debris loading pier or on a transport barge. This study was a crucial step in the development of a more in-depth job-exposure assessment for Landfill and barge workers

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion