EPA and City Plan for Indoor Air Quality, May 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document . TAA ava 2S« 0283 SEN. CLINTON 0002

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Tor Imrnediate Release Contact; Press Office February 13,2002 (2t2) 224-2243

Senator Clinton Lands Commitment to Create Air Quality Task Force for Ground Zero EFA Agrees ta Clinton Proposal io Farm Partnership to Address Air Quality Concerns in Lower Manhattan

Senator ffas Concerns Abttut Details, Funding Washington, DC - In response to a hearing on World Trade Center ah’ quality organized by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY] and ' uaired by Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), EPA AiJministrator Christine Todd Watman has committed to establish a Task Force on Indoor Air in Lower Manhattan. Se nator Clinton called for an indoor air program as part of a five^point plan that she unveiled ar the hearing, which vas held in New York City this past Monday, February II.

Administrator Whitman appeared this aoraing ax another hearing of the Environment and Public Works Committee, where Senator Clinton commended Whitman for her commitment to establish the new Task Force. While recognizing the Agency’s efforts in this regard. Senator Clinton also expressed concern about the lack of details regarding the Task Force's activities, as well as the identification of an appropriate funding source for the Task Force.

Clinton en^hasized that it was "imperative (hat this Task Force conduct door-to-door lections and indoor sanrpling within no less than a 10 block radius of Ground Zero.**

The Task Force should also operate a centralized location where the pubhc can get information on whether their building has been tested or inspected, the results of those tests and clear guidance os cleanup requirements, resources available to pay for cleanups, V_gnd certified cleanup companies in the area," Clinton said

"I believe foe idea, as you had mentioned, of an indoor task force, is an important one, because that'S one of foe areas where jurisdiction is not dear," Whitman said. "I mean it’s not a simple task, but it is one foar we have to deal with particularly in light of the kind of challenge foat we face now since Septenher 11**."

Clinton thanked Whitman for a quick response to the '-^ncems that were raised at the bearing on Monday, and stated that She looked fo- ward to working with her on the new effort. As a first step, Clinton indicated that she would be working to set a meeting as soon 1. possible between EPA and the city to make sure that foe task force is underway as soon as possible.

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