WTC document preservation notice, NYC Law Department

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

"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 11’^ 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.

As these projects are developed, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will fund components that are eligible under its programs. As the agency responsible for coordinating federal assistance in support of the city’s long term recovery efforts, FEMA is working closely with all concerned agencies.

Both the EPA and New York City Task Forces will work cooperatively to continue to protect air quality. The Lower Manhattan Air Quality Hotline (212-221-8635) will continue to be the principal point of information dissemination to businesses, residents and visitors regarding air quality and environmental issues in and around the World Trade Center site. The City's Task Force will also coordinate additional community outreach and local initiatives as part of the broader effort to build public confidence in the downtown environment.

For more information, call the City’s Lower Manhattan Air Quality Hotline at 212-221-8635 between 11:00 am and 7:00 pm Monday through Friday. In addition, information can be found on EPA’s web site at: www.epa.gov; OSHA’s web site at: www.osha.gov; NYC DOH’s web site at: www.ci.nyc.ny.usZhtmIZdoh/home.htm; and NYCDEP’s web site at: wvw.nyc.gov/html/dep/htmlZairmonit.html.

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