September 11 public health conference agenda, Feb 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

•t. oj/iy/pz ii;zs FAi (0003

vacuumed) by properly trained personnel. Some sources have also indicated that even greeter cleanup measures were taken.

However, even when the EPA received test results from a study commissioned by the Task Force that indicated serious levels of asbestos and other materials inside downtown apartments, the EPA continued to guide residents to the NYC Department of Health (NYCDOH) for direction. The NYCDOH directed residents who are the seme distance away from Ground Zero as the Federal buildings, to dean esbestos-iaden dust "with wet rags end mops" or "wet brooms.*

*We must ask why is what the EPA says is good enough for New York residents not good enough for toe EPA itself? Either the cleanup measures taken at the EPA office were necessaiy to protect its workers or toe EPA wasted wast-.d tax­ payer dollars on an unnecessary cleanup," stated Congressman Nadler.

Moreover, the Congressman argued, that by delegating authority to the more lenient City standard, the EPA may have violated the taw, as the agency is compelled to ensure that such City standards are at least as stringent as Federal lew.

"Today, ( have leveled some serious charges at the EPA because t believe I have the moral responsibility to de so. However, 1 want to rrake perfectly clear that vra still do not know the extent of the presence of hazardous materials l.i some areas downtown. It may or may not be dangerous in some indoor areas of lower Manhattan. I believe that given that we don’t have all of the facts, we cannot conclude anything. I do know that we must get the proper facts and act swiftly arid appropriately to get the job done right,' said Ftep. Nedler.

CALLS FOR ACTION

Rep, Nadler end the Ground Zero Elected Officials Task Force called for four actions by the EPA:

1) Expedited testing of lower Manhattan residences end workspaces for hazardous materials levels. If shown to be necessary by test results, the proper cleaning of such indoor spaces by the EPA or appropriate government agency or its designated contractors. Such a testing and cleanup'effort must be coordinated by a single agency utilizing the strictest Peders! guidelines.

2) The foil, independent and unfettered Investigation by the EPA National Ombudsman into EPA's response to the September 11* attacks in New York.

3) The release of all documents detailing the justification of toe cleanup of 290 Broadway and 26 Federal Plaza, how that cleanup was conducted, by whom, and at whose expense;

4) An immediate explanation from EPA of why it didn’t utilize or enforce strict, Federal guidelines regarding hazardous testing and cleanup downtown, in favor of more lenient City standards.

In addition, Congressman Nadler called for immediate Congressional hearings into all of these matters.

Rep. Nadler has served in Congress since 1892. He represents the Sth Congressional District of New York, which includes parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn, including the area surrounding ’Ground Zero.' He is the Chair of the Ground Zero Elected Officials Task Force. #0# •• Rep,. Nadler’s statement is attached

Stetement of Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) Exposing EPA Mishandling of Response to Sept 11* Attacks January 17,2002

Thank you all for being here. I am joined today by members Of the Ground Zero Elected Officials Task Force and by Hugh Kaufman. Chief Investigator for the EPA National Ombudsman. I want to also thank the New York Environmental Law and Justice Project for their assistance In bringing some of these matters to my attention. 80/S0-d STS ddBa/dcG ’S’n 8fr:6T S002-iT-Nbr NYC-WTC_000144678