EPA response on environmental conditions and federal role, February 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

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• 1 X • I UNTTEO STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, O.C. 2C4SO

1 I OFFICE OFns Fehiwuy 12,2002 «B«4»i«rmATon |4L\**X I The Honorable :n» y Rodham Clinton •7S- ■ United States Senate* Washington, D.C 20520 Dear Senator ClinWrt I have noted with concern rtports of (he bearing you held yesterday in New York City I regarding the environmental response to theatt^ on die World Trade Center. I share your f concern about foe environmental coadidoas fociag residents, workers, and visitors to Lower Manhattan. X certainly agree that foe federal govexnmaxc has an important role to play in both monitoring current conditions and in trying to develop reliable information about short-term and long-term healfo effects on people living and working in foe area surrounding foe World Trade Center site.

In reviewing the response of the Envizomneotal Protection Agency to the attack of September 12 T have been Impressed with the level of dedication, conunitmeait, and eaepertise EPA personnel have brought to bear on fins us^ecedooted challenge. It is worth noting our • Region 2 SPA office, located just blocks from die World Trade Center, was displaced as a result of the attack, sharing in the same difficulties and coneenu as others who live arid wwk in the area. Nevertheless, EPA personnel were on die scene establishing enviroameatal mosltoxmg programs almost imniKiiately. Thar monitoring has contmued, uninterrupted, until the preseat time ~ and wfll eonriaue as long as necessary. I am proud of the work EPA’s dedicated employees have done in Lower Manhattan.

Althou^ local govecnmcnts ne geaeraSy the primary lead in re^onding to disAiters, chose governments can and should tom to (he federal government for assistance where they seed it In lb's event the City ofNew Yoric asked the EPA to assume lead responsibility for monitoring die outdoor conditions at and around die site of the event and for decontaminating the streets and other outdoor public areas. In response to their request, we have'estahEshed numerous monitoxing stations around Lower Manhattan that have been analyzing bo± air and particulates for various toxins known to cause long'tezm risks to public health; eleased the streets and other public areas of dust and debris, and; established wash stations at which workers at the site could remove any dust and debris they may have canying on their clothing. We were on the scene almost immediately, assisting those responsible for New York City worker safety.

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