EPA response on environmental conditions and federal role, February 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document USEPA R2 DEPP SPMTIPB 1 212 637 3771 P.04/07 FEB-19-2002 16=26

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united states envw on mental protection agency WASHINGTON. O.C. 2C4SO

February 12,2002 AOuiNtsnuTon

The Honorable XCUaiy Rodham Clinton * United States Senate Washington, D.C 20510 Dear Senator Clinton: 1 have noted with concern r^orts of flic hearing you held yesterday in New Yoric City regarding the environmental response to the att^ on the World Trade Center. I share your concern about the environmental conditions feeing residents, workers, and visitors to Low^ Manhattan. I certainly agree fliat the federal goveniment has an important role to play in both monitoring current conditions and in hying to develop reliable information about short-term and long-term healfli effects on people living and working in the area surrounding the World Trade Center site.

In reviewing the response of the Environmental Protection Agency to the attack of September 11% I have been impressed with the level of dedication, commitment and expertise EPA personnel have brought to bear on this unprecedented challenge. It is worth noting that our Region 2 EPA office, located just blocks from the World Trade Center, was displaced as a result of the attack, sharing in the same difficulties and concerns as others who live and work in the area. Nevertheless, EPA personnel were on the scene establishing rnvironmeatal monitoring programs almost immediately. That monitoring has contmued, uninterrupted, until tixe present time - and will continue as long as necessary. X am proud of the work EPA's dedicated employees have done in Lower Manhattan.

Although local goveranjents are generally flic primaty lead in responding to disasters, those govezxments can and should torn to flic federal govenoneat for assistance where they need it In this event the Gty ofNew Yodc asked flie EPA to assume lead responsibility for monitoring the outdoor conditions at and around the site of the event and for decontaminating the streets and other outdoor public ar» \ In response to their request, we havc'establishcd numerous monitoring stations around lower Manhattan that have been analyzing both air and particulates for various toxins known, to cause long-term risks to public health; cleaned the streets and other pubb’c areas of dust and debris, and; established wash stations at which workers at the site could remove any dust and debris they may have been carrying on their clothing. We were on the scene almost immediately, assisting those responsible for New York Qty worker safety.

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