A New Health Nightmare Emerges for 9/11 First Responders [Video]

New research appears to highlight another tragic aftereffect of the 9/11 terror attacks. Scientists have found evidence that responders exposed to dust and debris from the collapse of the World Trade Center are more likely to develop early onset dementia. The findings also suggest that protective personal equipment can help mitigate this risk should a similar disaster ever happen again.

The research was led by scientists from Stony Brook University. Stony Brook has maintained a long-running program treating and tracking the health of 9/11 responders. As part of this program, epidemiologist Sean Clouston and his colleagues have specifically focused on the long-term mental and cognitive outcomes of these survivors.

The team has previously studied how the chronic PTSD suffered by some responders may have contributed to other lingering health issues. But while they …