September 11 public health conference agenda, Feb 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

residents <*- they were at risk which threatened their health & environment; Ground Zero workers caught in a dust doud; unprotected clean-np procedures - asbestos fibers, fiber glass, settied into particulate matter. CONCERNS: outdoor sampling by gov’t. underestimates interior risks - NOT reflective of conditions indoors, ie, asbestos-containing dust indoors; gov’t agencies have declined to enforce applicable reporting requirements, specific procedures, worker protection.; according to Chief of Staff Charles Sturcken of DEP only 35 asbestos-containing material cleanups since 9/11. He said that illegal and unprotected workers weere ineffective for removing asbestos fibers from homes. Did say that USEPA & DEP used aggressive emergency measures In evacuating 200 residents and 200 lbs. (?) of ACM. Said although there were few fatalities of workers at the site, OSHA provided only informal response not formal.

The question was raised as to what would have been the difference in response if there was longstanding support and respect for gov^t? (There has been 20+ years of trashing gov’t) If there was more respect, would it have made a difference???

Eric Goldstein, Esq., Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) - Agency Coordination & Risk Communication Issues >

Said at least 10,000 New Yorkers suffered impacts; there were gaps in monitoring data, synergistic impacts, exposure levels public received, longterm exposure. He said it was the single largest Air Pollution episode in NYC (others disputed this statement later)

Talked about - gaps in leadership on environmental issues: City (DOH and DEP), State, and Federal; there was no single agency in charge overall; no agency ensuring environ. Safety and providing information to the public; no one took charge of reoccupancy to buildings; OEM placed other tasks higher than the above.

DEP fell short of the mark in response measures, collecting and providing information. DEP is not at this conference; DEP did not rise to the occasion (ie, disaster). The environmental health side of filings fell short; there was no government leader who was a spokesperson; there were no coordinating press releases; (Mayor Giuliani only gave comforting remarks); failure of OSHA to INSIST that workers wear respirators. Health questions remain; is the air in lower Manhattan safe? EPA did a good job, but repeatedly said their were no longterm aspects. Questions remains, if air is safe, why are there so many questions from the public?? The final problem*. Lower Man. Residents -34,000 in Community Board NO. 1 need assurance. There was failure to provide effective information, proper clean-up protocols, no inspection of cleaning vents in apts. and office bldgs.

Recommendations: USEPA’s Air Quality Task Force must do indoor air testing and d^n-ups within a 10-block ntditiv of IGround Zero] right away.

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