Those with the worst exposures to toxic chemicals at Ground Zero are 42 times more likely to develop early-onset dementia
Firemen, construction workers and others who worked at Ground Zero face significantly increased risk of dementia, according to a new study. It’s believed that long-term exposure to toxic chemicals in dust and particulate matter is to blame.
The researchers found that workers who had the worst exposure had far higher risk of being diagnosed with dementia before the age of 65 than workers who wore personal protective equipment of avoided exposure to dust and particulate.
The dust contained a witch’s brew of toxic chemicals including pulverized glass, lead, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins. Many workers were exposed to these chemicals for months or even longer, often with little or no PPE.
“This study builds on prior work suggesting that dust and debris from the WTC collapse contained neurotoxins,” said the researchers in their paper
“These results imply that these exposures were dangerous and support the view that the use of PPE might have prevented the onset of dementia before age 65 years among exposed responders.”
The researchers examined levels of toxic exposures and rates of early-onset dementia (i.e. before the age of 65) in just over 5,000 people who worked at Ground Zero. The average age of workers was 53 and 91.3% were men. By 2022, 228 cases of early-onset dementia had been diagnosed among the cohort.
The researchers divided their cohort up on the basis of estimated levels of exposure to toxins.
They found a clear association between levels of exposure and risk of early-onset dementia. After adjusting for other risk factors, they found that each “step up” in exposure levels brought a 42% increase in risk for early-onset dementia compared to the group that had the lowest level of exposure. Those in the most severe exposure group were are 42 times the risk of the lowest-exposure group.
“This cohort study found increased risk of dementia associated with working in dusty locations and performing relatively dangerous activities for 15 or more weeks on or adjacent to the pile of debris or pit at Ground Zero,” the researchers concluded.
Among their recommendations, the researchers say that workers dealing with similar situations should be given adequate PPE.
“There is a critical need to protect persons who help in rescue and recovery operations after an unexpected industrial accident.
“Disasters often require an emergent response in dangerous conditions, but reliable use of PPE might help prevent the onset of dementia before age 65 years among individuals exposed to an uncontrolled building collapse.”
Breaking Exclusive! Tucker Carlson Breaks The Internet In Powerful Interview With Alex Jones
