US Senate letter regarding WTC environmental protection measures, August 2002

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I The Honorahle ChnstinB Todd Whitman I i Administrator Enviroamental Protection. Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue Washingwn, D.C. 20004 Dear Adcoimslzator Whitman: Thani you for your letter ofFebruary 22 and &r your efforts to establish and begin the operations of the Task Force on Indoor Air in Lou-cr'Manhattan as quickly as possible., I wanted to take this opportunity to seek clarification on this iisue, as well as to request your assistance in responding to some alarming findings of the EPA Oipbudsman regarding possible recontaminarion of schools in Lower Manhanan tlial were revealed in news reports today. • 1 believe strongly that the task force should: ’ 1. Go door-to-door in lower Manhattan to get a finner grasp on existing indoor air quality and remediation efforts and to develop whatever new cleanup a^ monitoring protocols are needed to 'assure the health of residents, students and workers m toe months ahead; I X Ensure that all information on indoor air in Lower Manhattan is made readily available to too public, in plain language; and 3. Pay special attention to toe particular needs of children who live and artend school m the area. As yon know, because of their size, habits and immune systems, children are at greater risk of being harmed by some pollutants than adults and should be monitored accordingly. I

I would greatly appreciate it if you could projtide my oftice with additional details on the Task Force's incoming work. Specifically, I am coticemed about two items in toe letter you sent to participating agencies regarding toe establishment oftoe Task Force. First, you indicated toat toe Task Force would "focus on indoor and outdoor 'air quality." I fed very strongly toat toe primazy focus of the Task Force should be indoor air quality, and only address outdoor air quali^ as it afOccts indoor air quality. Second, you indicated toat you "andc^zte toat toe task force will meet fin- about two hours each week over toe next three months." I understand toat such formal meetings may be necessary for toe effective operation of this Task Force. Please explain the specific activities that you anticipate toe Task Force members will undertajee in toe field and what resources will be made available to address indoor air quality issues in Lower Manhattan, I

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