Panel agenda for Air Quality After 9/11 conference, March 2004

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

EPA assured New Yorkers through its press releases that it was safe to reoccupy buildings in

Lower Manhattan. Those press releases contained the following statements:

September 16.2001

“New OSHA [Occupational Health and Safety Administration] data also indicates that indoor air quality in downtown buildings will meet standards.”

“Our tests show that it is safe for New Yorkers to go back to work in New York’s financial district.”

“Air samples taken on September 13* inside buildings in New York’s financial district were negative for asbestos.”

“The Agency [EPA] is recommending that businesses in the area planning to reopen next week take precautions including cleaning air conditioning filters and using vacuums with appropriate filters to collect dust. Vacuuming will reduce the chance of reentering workers tracking dust into the buildings. This work is already underway by city agencies.”

September 18,2001

“We are very encouraged that the results from our monitoring 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. “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 breathe and their water is safe to drink,” she added.”

October 3,2001

“Residents and workers returning to buildings where dust from the Trade Center has entered the building should follow proper procedures in cleaning buildings, but the general public should feel very reassured about the extensive environmental monitoring data that has been collected and analyzed.”

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