I don't have any idea about the cement dust. Surely it can cause lung dysfunction. I'd be curious what article you read though that states cement dust influences clotting.

The thing with clots is that there isn't always one concrete explanation (pun intended). It may be that you could have had several things going on in your body (the perfect storm that some of us refer to) that caused your clots, and maybe the cement dust added to that, but that would be really hard to say, I think . But I don't know for sure. Maybe it's a conversation you should have with a hematologist.

I can totally see the idea that the dust would make symptoms worse ... but I'm not sure how it would be related to actually causing the clots in the first place. Guess I'd have to see the research.

I too have trouble figuring out how dust would contribute to clotting. I'd also be interested in seeing the information you read to see exactly what they based those conclusions on.

On the other hand, coughing and feeling generally rotten after being in that environment - I totally get that. Even a person who's never had PE will probably not feel well after being someplace like that, worse even for people who already have breathing issues.

I know in more unusual instances, other substances in your body can cause a PEs like air bubbles or fat droplets So maybe that's what you're thinking. Dunno.

I don't know about the effects of concrete dust on clotting but it sounds as if it is having a bad effect on your lungs. Surely you shouldn't be expected to work in those conditions? Can you speak to someone about the problem and see if something can be sorted? I'm in the UK and I know this wouldn't be allowed and that the company would have to sort it out.

I'd be interested in this research too. I have alveolitis which left me with scarred lungs after keeping parrots as pets. I was allergic to the feather dust and spores from their dry poo. It did the same to me as asbestos does to people who work with it.

I don't for a second think this caused my clot but I have no doubt it aggravated the situation.
I agree with Brenna that you (nor anybody else) shouldn't be expected to work in that situation

The research I found was about the danger of cement dust on your health. Cement dust contain dangerous materials that are likened to asbestos exposure. While most of the studies I found (can't find them now) were concentrating on risks of heart attacks, cancer and pulmonary fibrosis, a few of the studies did mention that it could affect clotting process and, in one study, several workers died of PE.

I'm just wondering if exposure to the cement dust (at the time of my PEs they were working on the floor below mine and the main lobby, combined with smoking, may have led to that perfect storm.

I am very concerned right now because they are working on the 2 floors above ours and I do need to access one of the floors. Yesterday, I was having terrible SOB, coughing and pains all day, despite wearing a NOSH approved mask. Mixed in with the extreme cold weather we're having these days, and that made a very unhappy, sick, weak and scared Danielle!

My employers are working with me on this issue. I work for the Federal Government and we do have some recourse. One colleague was relocated to another floor and they are doing an air quality study on our floor, especially that there are now two of us who are adversely affected by the dust.

WHAT???
You work for the Feds and they are subjecting you to these working conditions????
That's NOT right Danielle!!!
See your Dr. and get a note that you can't work in these conditions.
SPECIALLY at the Fed Govt.

This is 2013, right?

The only problem is that most PEs start with clots in the legs. They don't usually start in the lungs. So, I too, am unable to see the connection. Yes, it aggravates symptoms, but I don't see it causing clots. I would be upset that the dust can aggravate symptoms or; if you already have lung problems...that would be a concern.

In my case, there was no DVT: doppler confirmed and absolutely no symptoms of a DVT. The only pain I had was from the PE. That's why I've been wondering about the possibility of inhaling cement dust as a cause for the PEs.

Where my work conditions are concerned, my manager is investigating with HR what the possibilities are. Another co-worker was temporarily relocated to a lower floor. In my case, the symptoms didn't start as fast as for my co-worker, probably because they were masked by the flu symptoms.

Danielle, check out what I posted on the discussion thread about non DVT causes for PEs, particularly cement. I think when they say cement they're referring to the type of cement used in orthopedic surgeries.

Yes, I checked that out. The cement dust I'm referring to contains silica which has been likened to asbestos as far as symptoms.

For most, it entails long term exposure, but I was reading that, for some, you only need short term exposure. I may be one of those unlucky people.

And yes, I'm grabbing at straws to find a feasible cause for my PEs.

I understand. I did the same thing at first, after my second DVT. The only thing mine seem to be possibly related to is that I have an autoimmune disease. But my docs can't say that's the reason for sure, so really I have no idea why I keep clotting. There are several of us here who don't know the reason why There is so much they're still learning about clotting. But some things may never be explained.

Not that you don't want to know and don't want to find out why, but sometimes accepting that you don't know is very healing. You realize that the energy put into longing for the WHY WHY WHY is energy better spent on living well, enjoying life, getting back to some normalcy etc. Just from my experience.

I'm another one where they can find no reason. I had one DVT...but none with the other 3. And this time, I have been on warfarin for a year and still clotted.