New York Times article on EPA apartment cleanup plan, 2002

NYC-WTC_000142650 The aily News THE EPA vOWS housing cleanup By GREG GITTRICH DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER Bowing to angry tenants and homeowners near Ground Zero, the Environmental Protection Agency said yesterday it would test and clean apartments potentially tainted w.th asbestos from the destruc- tion of the World Trac: Center. The federal agency's decis.on about their futures," said Jane to clean as many as 15,000 Kenny, EPA regional administra- apartments south of Canal St. tor. represents a dramatic flip-flop here." in policy. However, at the same news The agency had argued that conference, Rep. Jerrold Nadler landlords and homeowners (D-Manhattan) said, "Lots of scl- were responsible for the task. entific data supports that there Despite the about-iace, the are real problems." EPA and city environmental offi- 'Going to deal with It' cials maintained yesterday that "The important thing is we no health emergency exists. are going to deal with it now," They said the sweeping new pro- said Nadler, who had battled, gram is being carried out large- along with Sen. Hillary linton ly to ease fears of those who live (D-N.Y.), to force the EPA to near Ground Zero. clean homes near the disaste • "While the scientific data site. about any immediate health risks from indoor air is very re- assuring, people should not have to live with uncertainty By June 1, people concerned that their homes are tainted with asbestos will be able to call a hotline and get city-certified LO AFTERMATH Thanday, 5/al02 NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document THOMAS I MONASTER DAILY NEWS CLEANUP. TARGET:i Approdmately 15,000 apartments south of Canal St, Including bulkdings neae North End Aro,, will be cleaned and tested for asbestos by the Environmental Protection Agency, contractors to test and clean ists Sept 11. But the program proofing in at least 37 floors of. their apartments. will test only for asbestos. the south tower. Testing will be conducted af- Nadler argued that the clean- The Federal Emergency Man- ter - not before - an apart- ing should be done building by gement Agency is picking u ment is cleaned. Officials said building — not unit by unit- to he tab for the program, whicl the cleaning should remove oth- avoid "a threat of recontamina- does not inciude nonresidential er contaminants, such as lead tion." spaces such as schools. ¡rofessional cleaning costs and mercury, released into the Inhaling asbestos can cause about $1.50 per square foot. But air when the towers collapsed af- chronic lung disease and can- the tab can quadruple if asbes- ter they were attacked by terror- cer. The fiber was used as fire- tos is detected.