Pulverized cement may explain mysterious 9/11 cough

This may explain some of the lingering questions of the health related ailments in the aftermath of 9-11.

Inhaling toxic dust from the World Trade Center disaster on 11 September 2001 has damaged some rescue workers� lungs more than years of smoking, US scientists reveal. Using an unconventional chest scan for the circumstances, researchers were able to capture visual signs of the severe respiratory problems that doctors could not otherwise have diagnosed.

www.newscientist.com...

Hundreds of people have been tested and treated for respiratory problems - or �World Trade Center cough� - since New York City�s twin towers fell, most of them suffering from asthma-like breathing difficulties. Some people, however, maintained persistent but unidentifiable coughs that could not be picked up using standard chest computed tomography (CT) scans.

Even though they are finding answers the article goes on to state that the damage may be permanent, because the cement is blocking the airways. The thanks these workers may get from their heroism may very well be poor health for the rest of their lives.