25 years later: US to investigate health of 9/11 children

The US is preparing a large-scale study to monitor the health of children, adolescents, and young adults exposed to dust and pollution from the 9/11 attacks 25 years ago. The CDC will establish a new research center to coordinate long-term follow-up of approximately 25,000 children who lived or studied near the towers, with a budget of up to $50 million.

Twenty-five years after the collapse of the Twin Towers, the US is preparing a large-scale study to monitor the health of children, adolescents, and young adults exposed to dust and toxic materials that spread across New York following the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will establish a new research center to coordinate long-term follow-up of those who were children, adolescents, and young adults at the time of the disaster, as well as those exposed in utero. Approximately 25,000 children lived or studied in lower Manhattan at the time of the towers' collapse, and thousands more were in nearby areas. The dust cloud contained crushed concrete, fiberglass, asbestos, and other pollutants. Researchers aim to examine the link between early-life exposure and respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, fertility issues, mental health effects, and cancers. The program is intended for those aged 21 and under at the time of exposure who lived in lower Manhattan or Brooklyn. The planned budget is up to $50 million, and the project is expected to begin on July 1, 2027. The study has not yet started, and there are no new findings.