News article on 9/11 federal aid and hazard mitigation funding

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

• controversy have prompted health pro­ I Zero. They also found 100 times more fessionals to second-guess fine particulates—lead from burning the government directive electrical systems, pulverized concrete and question whether those and glass from insulation and win­ 1 who were exposed may be at increased long-term risk i dows—than the EPA’s tests, and in p concentrations even higher than those for lung cancer and asbesto- I seen during die Kuwaiti oil-field fires of sis, which can take 15 to 20 S 1991. “The EPA used ordinary medi- years to develop. “We’re see- ods for an extraordinary event,” says ing something involving Thomas Cahill, a professor of atmos­ many more individuals than pheric sciences who led the study. Four days after 9/11 fine dust coated the family pho­ has occurred in this country “They weren’t thorough enough to tographs in Sheila Rossi’s Battery Park City apartment k before,” says Stephen M. gauge what was actually in the ain” Levin, M.D., codirector of an inde- air-sampling procedures, insisting that When the Tabbs returned to clean pendent, federally and privately funded it responded properly to the disaster by their apartment in late Septembei; diey $13 million study charged with mon- testing for the most immediate threats: discovered “what looked like the first itoring the health of 8,500 Ground asbestos and volatile chemicals that snowfall,” George says of the half-inch Zero workers and volunteers. “It’s an result from the combustion of jet fuel, layer of dust that had found its way in entirely new phenomenon.” “We didn’t find levels of concern in dirough closed windows and the build- To date, various programs have the general neighborhood [of Ground ing’s ventilation system. Almost un­ treated more than 600 on-site rescue Zero],” says spokeswoman Mary mediately, “our eyes were itchy and workers for respiratory problems and Mears. “Clearly, the dust had an im- watery. We got full-body hives and screened 400 other day laborers, pact, but that doesn’t mean it’s toxic.” bloody noses. And this was happen- mosdy Hispanic immigrants who were But according to another key air- ing to everyone in our building.” brought in without respirators to clean quality study conducted by a team of And many beyond it. A neighbor, contaminated buildings. Moreover, as researchers from the University of Cal- trial attorney Sheila Rossi, walked for many as 500 New York City firefight- ifomia at Davis, the EPA’s measures blocks through thick smoke and dust ers may resign by year’s end due to fell short of the bar. The California after being evacuated from her apart- failing health. scientists detected such toxins as sulfur ment a block from Tower 1, returned For its part, the EPA stands by its and nickel a full mile from Ground a week later and spent days cleaning her apartment while wearing only a paper face mask. Eventually she suf­ fered severe nosebleeds almost daily. While even her doctor is unsure of their cause, Rossi, who still has them occasionally, blames pollutants in the & air. “Never in my life had I had one before,” she says. In response to the public outcry, the ! EPA has begun testing indoor air and cleaning local buildings; meanwhile MB the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has received $20 mil­ lion to track long-term health prob­ lems in the area. But those steps won’t come soon enough for die Tabbs, who, after staying in their apartment only briefly, are once again bunking with relatives. “I feel betrayed by all the agencies that were supposed to pro­ tect my health,” says Wendy, “but Pm not even sure who to blame.” • Susan Schindehette “My apartment was ruined,” says Rossi (in her lobby with a mural of the fWin Towers). • Diane Herbst in New York City

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