EPA and City Plan for Indoor Air Quality, May 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

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iS^U.S. Environmental Protection Agency * Region 2

MM New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands 290 Broadway - New York, New York 10007-1866 www.epa.aov/reaion2

EPA - Mary Mears 212-637-3669 NYC - Frank McCarton (OEM) 718-422-4888

FOR RELEASE: Monday, March 25, 2002

FEDERAL. STATE AND CITY AGENCIES ANNOUNCE ACTIONS FOR LOWER MANHATTAN AIR QUALITY

(#02114) New York, New York - Today the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with New York City and other federal and state agencies, announced additional actions to address outdoor and indoor air quality. As part of the overall effort to continue to protect air quality, DEP will remove residual debris from rooftops and facades with EPA’s guidance. OSHA will work in a coordinated effort with the City and EPA to ensure the safety and health of the workers performing this cleaning.

EPA and New York City will expand the program to remove residual debris from rooftops and facades around the World Trade Center site. In addition, agencies will work to build on an indoor air study conducted in November and December. These actions are a result of the collaborative efforts of the EPA Administrator Christie Whitman’s Task Force on Indoor Air and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Lower Manhattan Air Quality Task Force.

“Actions speak louder than words, and these actions will help increase confidence about outdoor and indoor air quality,” said Jane Kenny, EPA Regional Administrator. “We have been working hand-in-hand with the city to resolve the public’s health concerns.”

“I am extremely pleased that EPA continues to work with the City to address concerns regarding air quality in Lower Manhattan,” said incoming DEP Commissioner Christopher Ward.

Tests conducted since September 11th have indicated that there is no evidence of significant long-term health risks to residents and office workers from the air quality in Lower Manhattan. Inspectors from the City and EPA have surveyed area rooftops and facades identifying buildings where residual debris remains. As removal of debris from the World Trade Center site nears completion. City, State and Federal agencies are committed to continuing to protect and improve the downtown environment.

City, state and federal health and environmental agencies are working collaboratively to continue to assess the cleaning that was conducted and determine testing criteria. Building on earlier tests, EPA will conduct field work to assess cleanup techniques and provide information for ongoing cleaning. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, with support from the New York City Department of Health and EPA, is planning to expand the indoor air study conducted in December 2001.

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