Document header for World Trade Center records

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

DEP ECB Fax:212-361-1?24 Apr 10 2003 02=38 P.02

April 9,2003

Honorable Christopher Ward Commissioner Department of Environmental Protection 19'*’ Floor 59-17 Junction Boulevard Flushing, New York 11373-5108

Dear Commissioner Ward,

We request your assistance in addressing the continuing health concerns of ECB

personnel located at 66 John Street. As you know the building is within two blocks of “ground

zero” and we were severely affected by that catastrophe. Following its evacuation on 9/11, the

building was reopened one week later. The air quality downtown, both inside and outside of the

building was very bad, and we had serious concerns about the adequacy of the cleaning of the

interior and exterior of the building. Upon our return to ECB following 9/11, many of us

experienced respiratory and eye problems as well as other adverse reactions. We immediately

advised ECB management of our symptoms and concerns and were repeatedly assured that

appropriate cleaning had been done and that the building was “safe”. We requested documentary

evidence supporting those claims, but to date no such evidence has been forthcoming.

Our concerns and feats were exacerbated by our continuing health problems and, in

addition, the inadequate response to other concerns, which include the lack of adequate fire

safety alarm systems, as well as blocked exit doors. These conditions have been repeatedly

brought to ECB and the building management’s attention. See enclosed article, which appeared

in the March 14,2003 edition of The Chief.

On January 31, 2003, ECB personnel, at their own expense, had a carpet sample tested at

an EPA approved lab using an EPA approved method. That test indicated extremely high levels

of asbestos (see enclosed test results). The test results were forwarded to ECB Executive

NYC-WTC_000153522