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Two commonly reported health problems following the September 11, 2001, World Trade Center attacks were asthma and post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms. In the periods 2003–2004 (wave 1) and 2006–2007 (wave 2), researchers assessed these health outcomes in exposed rescue workers, office workers, residents of lower Manhattan, and passersby; 46,322 exposed adults completed both questionnaires.
Of the respondents, 43,032 did not have preexisting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Of these, 24% reported symptoms consistent with PTSD at either wave, with prevalence increasing over time (wave 1, 14%; wave 2, 19%). Symptoms were chronic (present at both waves) in approximately 10%, had late onset (present only at wave 2) in approximately 10%, a…