NYT Article on WTC Memorial Design Finalists, 2003

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document WtC Gov asked to zone in on ozone and asthma * Y SOYCE SHEIB Markowitz said outside Public School Dr. Edward Fishkin, medical dírector from asthma," Fishkin said "But by the VY NEWS SIAFF WRIT! 274 in Bushwick on Friday. "Because the of Woodhull Hospital, described ozone year's end, 5,000 péople will have died of Brookiyn Borough President Marty level of ozone and other air pollutants as "a very powerful airway irritant. It di- asthma (nationwide]. Of that 5,000, 200 Markowitz is calling on Gov. Pataki for has risen, along with increased truck traf. rectiy causes inflammation. It triggers will be Brooklynites. better state monitoring of ozone teveis in fic to the numerous waste tranisfer sta- asthma attacks. "Four percent of all the asthma deaths Brooklyn. tions nearby." Some of the highest asthma rates in But because ozone is a regional pollut- "It can even sensitize a person to other in this country will be in Brooklyn," add. the entire country are to be found in ant, the monitors in place, which include allergens, and it may actually cause asth- ed Fishkin, who is founder of the North neighborhoods in Bushwick and Will- one in Queens and another on Staten Is- ma," Fishkin added. Brooktyn Asthma Action Alliance. lamsburg, but the state has not moni- land, "effectively provide information for Big problem in Bushwick Public School 274 Principal Daisy O'Gorman said 125 students at the tored the ozone levels there since 1996, all of New York City," said Matt Burns, The doctor said asthma rates in Bush- spokesman for the state Environment :'1,000-student school have been diag. Markowitz said. wick had reached "shocking numbers," nosed with asthma. Conservation Department. Brooklyn's levels are based on read- ings taken in Queens or on Staten Island, Craig Wilson of the American Lứng As. adding that the asthma rate for the U.S. Children with the most severe cases sociation of the City of New York said, is about 6% to 7%. may miss 25 to 35 days of school per according to the borough president. "When the Istate environmental agency] "But in Bushwick, as many as 25% of year, O'Gorman said. "It's outrageous and unacceptabie.... issues an ozone heaith advisory for New children are afflicted with asthma," Fish- Markowitz addressed his call for Even though the citywide levels of some York City, they are actually guessing kin said. Cioser monitoring is needed to ozone monitoring in Brooklyn to the gor- pollutants have decreased • in recent what the state of Brookiyn's air quality aiert parents, children and physicians, ernoi. He sent a letter to Pataki on Friday years, the health situation in northern is. In reality, the air quality could be he said. and noted that he was looking for & Brooklyn has only gotten worse," .much worse." "In the year 2003, nobody should die speedy response. : i4o NYC-WTC_000142933 Monday, September 15, 2003