EPA press release on indoor air quality plan, May 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

MAY-13-2002 13!13 NYC D.E.P. PUBLIC RFFAIFS P.02/03

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region 2 New Jersey, New Yod, PuaM Rite sod the U.S. virgin Islands ■kl i'UI I Mi I kM 290BroadwBy-NewY<ak.NewY«k 10007-1866 www.epa.gav/region2

Contact! Mary Meara 212-637-3669 EPA AND CITY OXTTLINE 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; (#02038) New York, New York - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its federal, state and city partners today announced a comprehoisivc plan to ensure that apartments iaqraeted by foe collapse of foe World Trade Center have been properly cleaned. Tbe£^ “ covering reriden^ unitsroufo of Canal Street and theJMa^rtauBndge approach, river to river — was developed by the multi-agency Task Force on fodoor Air in Low® Manhattan created by EPA Administrator Christie Whitman. All levels of govenuneat hove come together in this unprecedented effort to provide assurances foot people are not being ejqjosed to pollutants related to foe World Trade Cent® collapse at levels that might pose long-t®m health risks. EPA, New York City, foe Federal Emergency Management Agency (MGMA) and foe Occupational Safety and Health Adaunistrauon (OSHA) are taking a collaborative approach that ' will include foe: cleanups of residential units on request, using certified contractors, with followup testing for asbestos in foe indoor air; testing-only for asbestos in foe indoor air for requiting households; establishment of a hotline to take cleanup and testing requests; availability of HE?A (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter vacuums; distribution of health and cleanup infonnation; and professional cleanips of remaining unoccupied, uncleaned buildings.

“We underswcQd the concerns of Lower Manhattan residMits and we know that &ey are looking to us for reassuiamce.” said Jane M. K«jny, BFA Regional Admimstrator. “While we cannot undo die events of September 11, we can provide the assurance that people's hmnes have been cleaned properly. While the scientific data about any c ediate health risks finm indoor air is reassuring, pe^le should not have to live with uncertainty about their futures." “As New Yorkers rebound firom 9/11, Mayor Bloambeig is committed to ensuring that foe health and safety ofresidents and workers is of foe highest priority.” said Christopher Ward, DEP Commission®. "While earlier air testing in Downtown Manhattan reassured Naw Yoikets, this oniaNM.n»iMM(7-ss) * »>!■>

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