Donna Summer was convinced that inhaling toxic air after 9/11 gave her the lung cancer that eventually killed her, as reported by TMZ.  Sources close to the singer told TMZ that Donna was in New York City during 9/11, living at an apartment near Ground Zero.  Eventually, Donna became almost paranoid about breathing the air, which was heavy with a rancid odor.  In the months and years following 9/11, Donna’s feelings intensified.  One source told reporters that when he was around Donna, she would constantly spray some sort of disinfectant in the air.  Deney Terrio, the host of “Dance Fever,” told TMZ that when he was around Donna post 9/11, she would hang silk sheets in her dressing room to prevent dust from coming in.

Another source said that Donna, who was a fervent practicing Christian, believed 9/11 was an attack on Christianity and in some metaphysical way Christians like her were targets.  She somehow felt that her illness was a byproduct of the attack.

And, we’re told, after Donna was diagnosed with lung cancer, several people told her that cigarette smoke may have been the culprit… she was a smoker, and she also frequented clubs where people smoked.  But Donna simply didn’t buy it.