There are growing health concerns over the effects of toxic dust from the World Trade Center attack in 2001.

What thousands of 9/11 first responders have been insisting for years, has once again been confirmed in a scientific study.

According to a report released on Thursday, there is a definite connection between chronic lung and respiratory illness and exposure to toxic dust that filled the air after the Twin Towers’ collapse.

Mt. Sinai Medical Center’s monitoring program conducted the study and it’s out in today’s edition of the “Chest” Cardio-Pulmonary Journal.

Researchers conducted follow up exams on more than 3,000 responders between 2004 and 2007. Just over 24 percent of the control group had abnormal lung function, according to the report, and in earlier examinations, 28 percent of the group had similar results.

The patients scored “below normal on pulmonary function tests,” and suffered from a variety of ailments, including “shortness of breath, asthma, and reactive airway disease.”

While many sufferers of respiratory illness lose weight, researchers found that many of the patients in the control group actually gained weight, causing certain doubts about the specific causes of respiratory diseases.

Meanwhile, NY1 reports that several New York lawmakers have reintroduced legislation on Capitol Hill aimed at providing treatment for thousands of first responders who were exposed to toxins during the September 11th attacks.

If passed, the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act would offer compensation for monetary losses due to illnesses or injuries caused by the attacks at the World Trade Center.

President Barack Obama has already signalled support for the bill and is expected to have strong bipartisan backing.

The measure was originally introduced last fall, but the economic crisis caused it to be delayed.

(Source: WCBSTV / NY1)