EPA press release on Lower Manhattan indoor air quality plan,

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency • Region 2 New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands 290 Broadway - New York, New York 10007-1866 www.epa.gov/region2

Contact: Mary Mears 212-637-3669

EPA AND CITY OUTLINE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF LOWER MANHATTAN RESIDENTS ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER COLLAPSE ON INDOOR AIR QUALITY

FOR RELEASE: May 8, 2002

(#02038) New York, New York - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its federal, state and city partners today announced a comprehensive plan to ensure that apartments impacted by the collapse of the World Trade Center have been properly cleaned. The plan — covering residential units south of Canal Street and the Manhattan Bridge approach, river to river — was developed by the multi-agency Task Force on Indoor Air in Lower Manhattan created by EPA Administrator Christie Whitman. All levels of government have come together in this unprecedented effort to provide assurances that people are not being exposed to pollutants related to the World Trade Center collapse at levels that might pose long-term health risks.

EPA, New York State, New York City, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are taking a collaborative approach that will include the:

cleanups of residential units on request, using certified contractors, with followup testing for asbestos in the indoor air; testing-only for asbestos in the indoor air for requesting households; establishment of a hotline to take cleanup and testing requests; availability of HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter vacuums; distribution of health and cleanup information; and professional cleanups of remaining unoccupied, uncleaned buildings.

“We understand the concerns of Lower Manhattan residents and we know that they are looking to us for reassurance,” said Jane M. Kenny, EPA Regional Administrator. “While we cannot undo the events of September 11, we can provide the assurance that people's homes have been cleaned properly. While the scientific data about any immediate health risks from indoor air is reassuring, people should not have to live with uncertainty about their futures.”

“As New Yorkers rebound from 9/11, Mayor Bloomberg is committed to ensuring that the health and safety of residents and workers is of the highest priority,” said Christopher Ward, DEP

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