World Trade Center environmental data report, 2001-2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

That has raised the profile for environmental health professionals of all stripes.

As painful as it is to look back to the events of September 11th it is imperative that we do so that we might be better prepared for any comparable act of terrorism or natural disaster in the future,” said New York Congressman Major Owens at a congressional hearing held in April 2002 at Borough of Manhattan Commimity College, New York City. (10). “The tragedy provides us with a portal to evaluate how well our public health regulatory framework worked to protect workers and members of the public from occupational and environmental hazards posed by the collapse of the World Trade Center.”

Footnotes:

(i) NIEHS, http.:/\mw.wetp.orB/wtc/WETP%20WTC%20Report.pdf (2) Joseph 'Chip ’ Hughes. http://www.wetp.orB/newsbriefs/oct0l/nb26oct0l.htm (3) Henshaw, John/ http://www.assc.ore/groundzero 1 .htm#wtc (4) Burger, personal communication. (5) Shufro, press release (6) Evaluation Report, “EPA’s Response to the World Trade Center Collapse: Challenges, Successes and Area for Improvement,” August 21, 2003, Report 2003-P-00012, by Nikki L. Tinsley

http://www.etKi.Bov/oiBearth/ereadine room/li'TC report 2003082l.pdf

(7) EPA wrote in its report (February 2002): "On September i I, 2002, EPA responded to environmentai threat created by three terrorist incidents: at the New York World Trade Center (WRC). at the Pentagon, and in Western Pennsylvania. EPA's mission was to protectfrontline responders and residents from dust and contaminants released when commercial aircraft were deliberately crashed. Although the attacks did not involve weapons ofmass destruction (WMD), the results were a series ofdisasters on a scale greater than EPA had ever encountered in emergency response. ” http://www.Breenpeaceiisa.orB/to.xics/lessonsleamed.pdf

Foomote: “Many federal, state and local entities, however, failed to sufficiently recognize and understand EPA’s role, mission and capability as part of an emergency response with environmental and human health consequences.” (p. 61, Draft Report).

(8) Christine Umbrell, The Synergist quotes an IH professional who says, “In the past, a lot of responders were not familiar with industrial hygiene. After Sept. 11, the perspective changed: The value and need for skills the IH provides have become very visible.” For example, Aton suggests, responders need to know the most appropriate detection equipment and PPE for use in the middle of a smoldering pit when another explosion could occur. “The people who can best answer that type of question are in the IH community.”

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(9) Geyh, personal communication (10) Owen, Borough of Manhattan Community College

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