September 11 public health conference agenda, Feb 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document T0'd -fcllOl

Heimov, Bratt

From: Schmeltzer, Eric Sent Thursday, January 17.200210:38 AM Subject: MAJOR WTC RELEASE: NADLER EXPOSES EPA DOUBLE-STANDARD

Jan. 17,2002 CONTACT: Eric Schmeltzer 202-225-5635 FOR immediate RELEASE

Nadler Exposes Dramatic EPA Double-Standards and Mlsbandlinp of Hazardous Materials Testing and Removal in Downtown Manhanan Residences Cans forFvfl Testing and Cleanup, Comprehensive and Independent Investigations

NEW YORK - Calling into question the integrity of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) actions In lower Manhattan since the World Trade Center attacks, Rep. Nadler exposed a gross disparity in how the EPA has responded to the aftermath of the 8/11 attacks compared with other instances of hazardous materials contamtnation around the country. Congressman Nadler made the announcement at a pity Hall press conference and was Joined by members of the Ground Zero Elected Officials Task Force, and Hugh Kaufmen, Chief Investigator for the EPA National Ombudsman.

Rep. Nadler charged that the EPA has abrogated its responsibility to protect public health by proclaiming lower Manhattan "safer without comprehensive data to support that Statement. And the Congressman revealed that the EPA had its own office building at 290 Broadway extensively tested and properly cleaned, in stark contrast to EPA directives w^ich told Manhattan residents to follow NYC Department of Health (NYCDOH) guidelines that advise cleaning with "wet rags." The Congressman stated that these guidelines may be in violation of the federal law that EPA is responsible for overseeing. As a result of these findings, the Congressmen made a number of immediate demands of the EPA and called for the condnued, unfettered and independent investigation by the EPA National Ombudsman and for Congressional Hearings.

EPA Region II officials have claimed in multiple public statements that they have no responsibility for Indoor testing and cleaning of residences in lower Manhattan, in a November 20* New York Dally N6ws article, Region 11 Counsel Walter Mugdan said. They (the federal regulations) were never contemplated to apply to someone cleaning an apartment." Bonnie Bellow, spokesperson for Region II, said in a recent fit. Louis Post-Dlspotch article. That's not our job and we have no: policies or procedures for doing that type of testing.” She also stated. *We are not a health agency." However, today Congressman Nadler said that he had spoken vdto EPA officials who dispute the accuracy of those statements. The EPA National Ombudsman, Robert Martin, confirmed that the agency is, in feci, currently doing indoor testing and removal of hazardous materials in Herculaneum, Missouri, and has also done so in McFarland, California, and Keiiog, Idaho.

"The EPA has failed to uphold its own mission - 'to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment - air, water and land * upon whieh life depends.' It is absurd that the EPA has claimed publicly that It doesn't have the legal authority to do necessary environmental tests end remediation in response to the World Trade Center attacks when it has clearly done residential work throughout the country," said Congressmen Nadler. *Why is New York being treated differently?'

“And given that the EPA has not tested inside people's homes, despite my repeated requests for it to do so, I find It deeply troubling that Administrator Whitman said she was 'glad to reassure the people of New York.. .that their air is safe to breathe, and their water is safe to drink.’ She clearly did not have comprehensive data to support that claim either way,** ha added.

Congressman Nadler also revealed today that the Federal buildings at 290 Broadway and 26 Federal Plaza were tested inside and outside for high levels of hazardous materials and, when some were found, the areas were cleaned (HEPA T0/T0'd 2TS dd3a/dd3 -ST iSsST 200S-iT-Nbr

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