Exposures among pregnant women near the world trade center site on 11 September 2001

We have characterized environmental exposures among 187 women who were Pregnant, were at or near the World Trade Center (WTC) on or soon after 11 September 200 1, and are enrolled in a prospective cohort study of health effects. Exposures were assessed by estimating time spent in five zones around the WTC and by developing an exposure index (EI) based on plume reconstruction modeling. The daily reconstructed dust levels were correlated with levels of particulate matter <= 2.5 mu m in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5; r = 0.68) or PM10 (r = 0.73-0-93) reported from 26 September through 8 October 2001 at four of six sites near the WTC whose data we examined. Biomarkers were measured in a subset. Most (71%) of these women were located within eight blocks of the WTC at 0900 hr on 11 September, and 12 women were in one of the two WTC towers. Daily Els were determined to be highest immediately after I I September and became much lower but remained highly variable over the next 4 weeks. The weekly summary El was associated strongly with women's perception of air quality from week 2 to week 4 after the collapse (p < 0.0001). The highest levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-deoxyribonucleic acid (PAH-DNA) adducts were seen among women whose blood was collected sooner after 11 September, but levels showed no significant associations with El or other potential VVTC exposure sources. Lead and cobalt in urine were weakly correlated with Sigma EI, but not among samples collected closest to 11 September. Plasma OC levels were low. The median polychlorinated biphenyl level (sum of congeners 118, 138, 153, 180) was 84 ng/g lipid and had a nonsignificant positive association with Sigma EI (p > 0.05). 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-Heptachlorodibenzodioxin levels (median, 30 pg/g lipid) were similar to levels reported in WrC-exposed firefighters but were not associated with El. This report indicates intense bystander exposure after the WTC collapse and provides information about nonoccupational exposures among a vulnerable population of pregnant women.