EPA response letter regarding WTC dust program, March 2003

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

. CHARLES B. RANGEL O 2364 MAVfiL'hN Hoc'ee Orftct Buuoinc • 1STH CONSFESSIONAL OlSTRlCT WaShinOTOX, OC 20615-321! NEW Yow Telephone; 1202) 226-4365 DEPUTY WHIP OlSTOlCT OFFICES:

COMWrTTEEi WAVS AND MEANS Congrcsisi ot tiie United States MS. VIVIANE. JONES OISTIlieTAOMINISTRATOft

HANIWS MEMBER SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRADE ^ousfe of □ 163 west 12STM STBEET NEwYohh. NV 10027 TELEPHONE; 1212) 663-3300 JOINT COMMITTEE ON TAXATION Wa^fjington, 30C 20515-3215 O 3110 Ftnsr Avqmue NEW YOEK, NY 10023 TELEPHONE: 1212) 348-3830

January 29,2003 PLEASE HESPONO TO OFFICE O-eCHES

Hon. Christine Todd Whitman Administrator Environmental Protection Agency Ariel Rios Federal Building 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W, . Washington, D..C- 20460 _____

Dear Administrator Whitman:

I am writing to you on behalf of the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health. I understand that the aforementioned agency contacted Kathleen Callahan, your Assistant Regional Administrator, in November regarding the exclusion of workplaces from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) program to clean up lower Manhattan as a result of the September 11th attacks. As of the date I write this letter, they have not received a response from her (a copy of the letter is attached).

As you know, hundreds- of residents of lower Manhattan were put in danger by the collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC). Many apartments arid workplaces were . contaminated by hazardous dust and it is critical that the Environmental Protection Agency does everything it can to protect cleanup workers and residents from the contaminated debris in the area. The EPA has assumed responsibility for insuring the quality of indoor air in lower Manhattan and it is essential that all areas be cleaned of WTC-related substances that may pose a threat to public health.

I am concerned that the current initiative that has been undertaken by your agency may have-endangered Eyes. Residents and cleanup workers during cleanup should be afforded the opportunity to be protected from any future health problems. At this time, those areas that are identified as "Scope of Work A" do not have to wear protective gear and are at risk of exposure to toxic substances. Any potential exposure to hannful agents during this cleanup is not only intolerable but also unacceptable, and it is the ' responsibility of the EPA to ensure a safe and healthy environment for both residents and cleanup workers,

The safety of New Yorkers in that area is of primary concern to Congressman Jerrold Nadler and myself We will not stop advocating for the health and safety of New Yorkers who are continually put at risk though the existing cleanup policy administered by your agency. •i n 1-

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