A study of nearly 13,000 first responders at Ground Zero after the September 11, 2001 attacks have had lung problems due to the toxic dust. According to the New York City Fire Department's World Trade Center Monitoring and Treatment Program, researchers found "a substantial proportion of workers with abnormal lung function." Dr. David Prezant told the Daily News, "We demonstrated dramatic decline in lung function, mostly in the first six months after 9/11, and these declines persisted with little or no meaningful recovery over the next six-and-a-half years." more ›

NYC’s air quality has gotten substantially worse compared to other cities, according to the American Lung Association's annual "State of the Air" survey. Since last year the city jumped from 10th worst in the nation for ozone pollution (smog) to an eighth place ranking. And in the category of short-term particle pollution (soot), NYC nabbed 13th place after ranking 17th worst in the last study. (L.A., the undisputed smog heavyweight, coasted to 1st place again.) more ›