Kidney Damage in First Responders Linked to Ground Zero During 9/11

After the 9/11 tragedy, first responders at Ground Zero were exposed to varying levels of a dust cloud of air. Now, scientists have linked high levels of this inhaled particulate matter to kidney damage. The findings could allow first responders to take preventative measures to help mitigate the effects of this type of damage.

The dust cloud in the air was filled with cement dust, smoke, glass fibers and heavy metals. While the WTC-CHEST Program at Mount Sinai previously linked this particulate matter exposure to lung and heart abnormalities, its effects on kidney health has been less certain. In order to find out possible effects, the scientists decided to examine a few of the first responders.

During this study, the researchers looked at urine samples of 183 first responders exposed to particulate matter at Ground Zero. They took into account each first responder's time of arrival, proximity, duration and level of exposure at Ground Zero. The scientists then measured the level of the protein called albumin in their urine, which can be an indicator of renal damage.

Albumin may leak into the urine when kidney function is compromised from inflammation or kidney damage. When albumin starts to spill into the urine it is called "albuminuria." A high-level of albuminuria can signal kidney disease.

"Our study shows the first responders with the highest exposure to the 9/11 particulate matter had significantly greater levels of albumin in their urine that the first responders in the study with low exposure levels," said Mary Ann McLaughlin, one of the researchers, in a news release. "We believe high exposure to the massive dust cloud of air pollution at Ground Zero may have extremely inflamed the endothelial lining of blood vessels leading to the kidneys causing kidney malfunction and the development of kidney damage in first responders."

The findings reveal that 9/11 has taken its toll not just mentally, but also physically--and continues to do so to this day. However, the research also could pave the way for future early diagnosis and care of these first responders' impaired kidney health. This could aid them in the future.

The findings were presented at the 2013 American Society of Nephrology meeting.