E-mails R. Avaltroni 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

J Legislative Hearing on Air Quality in Lower M... Page 1 of3

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ASSEMBLY SPEAKER SHELDON SILVER ASSEMBLY STANDING Caw ITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON HEALTH ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON LABOR NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING SUBJECT; Air quality issues in Lower Manhattan in the aftermath of September 11 PURPOSE: To address vital new and ongoing air quality issues in order to protect those who live, work, visit and attend school in Lower Manhattan Assembly Hearing Room 250 Broadway Room 1923,19th Floor New York, New York Friday, April 12,2002 10:30 AM There are widespread concerns regarding the environmental and public health consequences of the collapse of the World Trade Center towers which caused a massive plume of ash, smoke, and debris to explode over New York City. Residents, workers, school representatives and community groups appeared at the Assembly’s first hearing on November 26,2001, to express their concerns and to recommend appropriate responses to these concerns. Issues raised at the November hearing included the following: the adequacy of testing methods, particularly outside the perimeter of Ground Zero; the coordination of communication between the agencies conducting the testing and disseminating information; extensive health concerns for workers on site at Ground Zero; and actions taken to protect the public from the hazards of pollutants released by the months-long fire and the heavy machinery operating at the site. The November hearing also focused on the difficulty of coordinating the efforts of Federal, State and local agencies to provide adequate responses to the concerns raised by the community. Subsequent studies and events have indicated that additional attention and direction is necessary. Since the November hearing, these concerns have been furtiier documented and new concerns have arisen. Doctors continue to report cases of residents, workers, students and otiiers in the area with multiple symptoms of various chronic illnesses which may be attributable to the contamination in the air. Furthermore, ongoing air quality monitoring and

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