DEP response re WTC cleanup reassurance program Feb 2003

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document _ From Preferred Customer to 788-2460 at 12/24/2002 12:38 PM 002/003

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December 23,2002

Mavor Michael R. Bloomberg CitvHaU New York, N.Y. 10007

Dear Mr. Bloomberg

I am a resident at Independence Plaza, located 6 blocks from the World Trade Center. I am requesting that you urge the Environmental Protection Agency to extend the WTC Indoor Clean Up Deadline for 3 months beyond the December 28“*, 2003 registration deadline for the following reasons:

Only 6,601 out of approximately 30,000 down town residents within the WTC EPA Indoor clean up zone have registered. THEREFORE, MANY RESIDENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE THEIR HOMES CLEANED, ARE AT RISK OF FUTURE HEALTH PROBLEMS FROM LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO HAZARDOUS CONTAMINANTS Only 239 buildings are registered for whole building clean up. If apartments are cleaned without a whole building clean up, they will be re-contaminated. EPA told us landlords and tenants associations cannot register for whole buildmg clean ups after the deadline. EPA has not hired outreach workers who speak Asian languages, although part of China Town is in the WTC EPA Indoor Clean up zone. Last week at a City Council hearing China Town residents complained many residents in their community never heard of EPA, although ,many of their apartments are permeated with dust and residents have reported increased respiratory’ problems after 9/11. EPA has not provided risk communication to the public about the potential health risks of not having their homes cleaned. EPA has also done poor outreach and must expand their outreach efforts and extend the deadline.

Sincerely

Maureen Silverman

DEC 24 2002 13:33 Preferred Customer PAGE.02

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