Surreal illustration of the World Trade Center site's impact on pregnant women, showing chemical exposure.

9/11's Lingering Impact: How the World Trade Center Disaster Still Affects Mothers and Children

Theo Raines in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Research reveals a link between the World Trade Center collapse and elevated levels of toxic PFAS chemicals in pregnant women and their newborns."

The collapse of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, released a toxic cloud of dust and debris over lower Manhattan. While much attention has focused on the immediate aftermath and the health of first responders, emerging research highlights the disaster's potential long-term consequences for a particularly vulnerable population: pregnant women and their children.

A recent study from Columbia University's World Trade Center birth cohort investigated the impact of the disaster on levels of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in pregnant women and their newborns. PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals known for their widespread use in consumer products and their persistence in the environment and the human body.

The findings reveal a concerning link between exposure to the WTC disaster during pregnancy and elevated PFAS levels, specifically perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), in mothers and their newborns. This discovery raises critical questions about the potential health risks for this overlooked population and underscores the need for continued research and monitoring.

PFAS: Unseen Chemicals, Lasting Impact

Surreal illustration of the World Trade Center site's impact on pregnant women, showing chemical exposure.

PFAS are a family of thousands of synthetic chemicals prized for their oil- and water-repellent properties. This has led to their widespread use in products we encounter daily, including:

These chemicals don't break down easily, leading to their persistence in the environment and accumulation in human bodies. Concerns about the potential health effects of PFAS exposure have prompted efforts to reduce or eliminate their production.

Non-stick cookware
Food packaging
Carpets and textiles
Cleaning products
Fire-fighting foam

Studies have shown that PFAS can cross the placental barrier, exposing developing fetuses. This is particularly concerning, as prenatal PFAS exposure has been linked to a range of adverse health outcomes, including reductions in birth weight, immune effects, and hormonal and neurological changes.

Protecting Future Generations: What's Next?

This study highlights the vulnerability of pregnant women and their children to environmental disasters and the importance of monitoring exposure to persistent chemicals like PFAS. While further research is needed to fully understand the long-term health consequences, these findings offer valuable insights and call for proactive measures.

If you were pregnant during or shortly after the 9/11 disaster and lived or worked near the World Trade Center site, consider discussing potential health risks and monitoring options with your healthcare provider. Access to resources like the NYC 9/11 Health Program may also be available.

Continued research is crucial to investigate the specific health effects of prenatal PFAS exposure related to the WTC disaster and to develop strategies for mitigating potential risks. Longitudinal studies following children exposed in utero will be essential for understanding the long-term consequences and informing public health interventions.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.12.018, Alternate LINK

Title: Cord Blood Perfluoroalkyl Substances In Mothers Exposed To The World Trade Center Disaster During Pregnancy

Subject: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Journal: Environmental Pollution

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Miranda J. Spratlen, Frederica P. Perera, Sally Ann Lederman, Morgan Robinson, Kurunthachalam Kannan, Leonardo Trasande, Julie Herbstman

Published: 2019-03-01

Everything You Need To Know

What connection has been found between the World Trade Center disaster and pregnant women and children's health?

The collapse of the World Trade Center released dust and debris containing various toxins. Research indicates that pregnant women exposed to this event showed elevated levels of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their system and in their newborns. This is concerning because PFAS exposure is linked to several adverse health outcomes.

What are perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and why are they a concern?

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals used in many consumer products due to their oil- and water-repellent properties. Common examples of products that use PFAS are non-stick cookware, food packaging, carpets, textiles, cleaning products and fire-fighting foam. Because PFAS don't easily break down, they persist in the environment and accumulate in human bodies. This persistence and bioaccumulation is a key reason for concern.

How does exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during pregnancy affect the developing fetus?

Research indicates that perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can cross the placental barrier, exposing developing fetuses during pregnancy. Prenatal PFAS exposure has been linked to reductions in birth weight, immune effects, hormonal, and neurological changes. These potential effects underscore the vulnerability of pregnant women and their children to environmental toxins.

Which specific perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were found in elevated levels in pregnant women and newborns after the World Trade Center disaster, and what are the implications?

The study from Columbia University's World Trade Center birth cohort specifically found a link between the disaster and elevated levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a specific type of PFAS, in pregnant women and their newborns. It raises concerns about potential long-term health consequences for this population. More research is necessary to understand the long-term effects of PFOA exposure.

What steps can be taken to protect pregnant women and children from the potential long-term effects of exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and similar environmental toxins?

This research highlights the vulnerability of pregnant women and children to environmental disasters and exposure to persistent chemicals like perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Proactive measures like continued monitoring of PFAS levels in at-risk populations, further research into long-term health effects, and efforts to reduce PFAS exposure are needed to protect future generations. Moreover, it emphasizes the necessity for understanding the interaction of multiple environmental exposures and their combined impact on maternal and child health.