EPA memorandum on WTC environmental data concealment, July 2004

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

square millimeter.... [9/17/01 "Daily Summary"] 9/18 In the recent rounds of ambient air sampling, 21 samples were 110.24 s/mm2 - MURRAY & CHURCH ST., 3 blocks collected and analyzed from 11 monitoring sites (one new NNE of Ground Zero perimeter monitor was has [s/c] been added). Four of these samples had 157.48 s/mm2 - WEST ST & VESEY ST.. NW corner levels of asbestos that were marginally above the level that of Ground Zero perimeter EPA is using as a level of concern. EPA continues to advise personal protective equipment for the emergency response overload - FULTON & CHURCH ST., east perimeter workers. [9/18/01 "Daily Summary". Note no warning for of Ground Zero residents.] overload - LIBERTY ST. & CHURCH ST., SE "We are very encouraged that the results from our monitoring perimeter of Ground Zero of air quality and drinking water conditions in both New York and near the Pentagon show that the public in these areas is not being exposed to excessive levels of asbestos or other harmful substances," Whitman said. A Given the scope of the tragedy from last week, I am glad to reassure the people of New York and Washington, D.C. that their air is safe to breath and their water is safe to drink," she added. ... Thus far, from 50 air samples taken, the vast majority of results are either non-detectable or below established levels of concern for asbestos, lead and volatile organic compounds. The highest levels of asbestos have been detected within one-half block of ground zero, where rescuers have been provided with appropriate protective equipment. ... [EPA press release, 9/18/01] 9/19 EPA's most recent rounds of air samples from 11 fixed 149.61 s/mm2 - WEST ST & WARREN ST., 4 blocks monitoring sites in and around the "hot zone" were below the N of Ground Zero perimeter EPA limit for asbestos. This bring the total number of samples 122.48 s/mm2 - MURRAY & CHURCH ST., 3 blocks taken from fixed monitors to 68.... [9/19/01 "Daily Summary"] NNE of Ground Zero perimeter The majority of EPA's most recent rounds of air samples from overload - NORTH END AVE & VESEY ST., 3 11 fixed monitoring sites in and around the "hot zone" were blocks NW of Ground Zero perimeter below the EPA limit for asbestos. Out of 25 samples analyzed yesterday, one sample did indicate a slightly elevated level of overload - FULTON & CHURCH ST., at east asbestos from a monitoring station located one block from perimeter of Ground Zero ground zero...... [9/20/01 "Daily Summary"] overload - SOUTH END AVE & ALBANY ST, 3 blocks SW of Ground Zero perimeter overload - WEST ST & ALBANY, 2 blocks S of Ground Zero perimeter 9/20 None of the 29 samples analyzed for asbestos over the last two days showed detectable levels of this chemical.... [9/21/01 "Daily Summary"] 9/21 In the most recent sampling rounds, EPA analyzed 13 samples 78.74 s/mm2 - WEST ST & WARREN ST., 4 blocks for asbestos. Five of the 13 samples were above the 70 s/mm^ N of Ground Zero perimeter structures per square millimeter standard that EPA uses to overload - GATEWAY PLAZA PARK AREA, 3 blocks clear schools for re-occupation after asbestos removal. All W of Ground Zero perimeter were taken in or in very close proximity to the excluded area around the World Trade Center.... [9/22/01 "Daily Summary"] 78.74 s/mm2 - THIRD PLACE & BATTERY PL - WATERSIDE, 6 blocks SW of Ground Zero ... MONITORING EFFORTS CONTINUE TO SHOW SAFE perimeter DRINKING WATER, AIR ... U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christie Whitman announced today that the most detailed results to date of ongoing monitoring of drinking water in New York City provide additional reassurance that residents and people who work 10

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