Just heard on Tom Joyner: Donna Summer quit smoking a very long time ago

[CatWoman]

she died of lung cancer, and believed she contracted it breathing the air in NYC after 9/11.

She was living in an apt near ground zero then.....

[cynatnite]

1. Peter Jennings contracted lung cancer 20 years after he quit smoking...

It's hard to say if her cancer was from her past smoking or if it was due to 9/11. It could also be that she contracted it from 2nd hand smoke.

[lukkadairish]

3. Agreed

I had a relative who died of lung cancer who never smoked, having spent extensive time working in restaurants in Europe where smoking is accepted. I would also add that a person's genetic predisposition to certain triggers is a factor. Very sad for all of those who suffered likewise.....

[safeinOhio]

4. Thank God Dad quit smoking at age 80, or

would not have made it to 90.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

5. My dad died of lung cancer more than 30 years after he quit

but when he did smoke, it was about 3-4 packs a day and non-filtered.

[ScreamingMeemie]

6. For the record, Peter Jennings also admitted that he took up smoking again after 911.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8870485/ns/health-cancer/t/lung-cancer-can-strike-almost-without-warning/

[HockeyMom]

2. The polluted air didn't just sit there over the site

Unfortunately, it isn't just the First Responders getting sick and dying. People who lived in the area were told that everything was safe and they could clean up their own apartments. I saw a local news report where one family did not believe it and had a hazmat cleaning service come in to test and clean. It was horrifying what was found in their apartment.

We lived 35 miles away at the time and days later it reached us. It was so bad people were calling 911. It burned your eyes, throat, and made you cough. The school where I worked closed all the windows and kept the kids inside for recess.

It was bad, very bad.