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

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

stored in the Twin Tower basements for the air conditioning system. When freon is vaporized, it becomes phosgene. “Phosgene is a chemical weapon used during World War 1. It kills by burning and blistering the upper airways. “In addition, bulk samples of dust at the site showed asbestos concentrations as high as 20 percent in some places. Each tower had more than 1,000 thermostats each containing 1-ounce of mercury, which vaporized. And pulverized glass, biocides, antifreeze and heavy metals like zinc and aluminum were part of the chemical soup that workers were breathing.”

In contrast to these reports, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the

agency charged with the responsibility for providing support and information to State, local

governments and the public regarding discharges and potential discharges of hazardous materials

and airborne contaminants, issued six press releases, between September 13, 2001 and October

30, 2001, which essentially reassured the people of New York City that the air in Lower

Manhattan was safe to breathe. What follows are relevant excerpts from those EPA press

releases.

09-13-01 “Monitoring and sampling conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday have been very reassuring about potential exposure of rescue crews and the public to environmental contaminants....EPA and OSHA will work closely with rescue and cleanup crews to minimize their potential exposure, but the general public should be very reassured by initial sampling.”

09-16-01 "Our tests show that it is safe for New Yorkers to go back to work in New York's financial district," (quoting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA).

“The agency 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”

09-18-01 “I am glad to reassure the people of New York and Washington, D.C. that their air is safe to breath [sic] .. .(quoting EPA Administrator).

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