On May 8, 2002, EPA announced that it would take responsibility for cleaning residences in Lower Manhattan, upon the request of each resident. Later in the day NYCOSH published this statement. There is a link to the EPA announcement at the bottom of the page.

"We are pleased that the EPA has decided to accept responsibility for protection of residents of Lower Manhattan," said Joel Shufro, executive director of The New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH), a coalition of unions and health professionals. "This is not only a step in the right direction, it is a reversal of EPA's policy."

"However, it is a shame that these measures were not taken at a time when they could have prevented the heavy exposure to the toxic dust that covered Lower Manhattan. For nearly 8 months the EPA has denied that it has authority to protect people from exposure to toxic substances indoors," said NYCOSH Executive Director Joel Shufro. "Now the EPA is taking responsibility for protecting Lower Manhattan residents – an action which it could have taken months ago."

During the 34 weeks that have passed since the attack on the World Trade Center, workers, residents and students in Lower Manhattan have been exposed to dust that is contaminated with asbestos, fiberglass, lead, highly alkaline concrete dust, and many other toxic substances.

"The EPA should accept that responsibility, and announce a plan to clean up all indoor spaces, including workplaces and schools, of all WTC-related contamination," said Shufro.

In addition to its lack of coverage for workplaces and schools and its lack of any mention of contaminants other than asbestos, the plan has many other major shortcomings.

The EPA plan lacks any provision for oversight from outside the same government agencies that have shirked their responsibility for all this time. "We believe the plan must include the appointment of an independent advisory committee, with the authority to intervene if government agencies are not acting to protect public health, including representatives of tenants, workers, students and elected officials." Shufro said.

EPA plan lacks any protocols for testing, cleanup and post-cleanup clearance. Such protocols must be produced and published.

The EPA plan would permit individuals to clean up asbestos contaminated dust by themselves, with EPA advice. For an untrained person to attempt such a cleanup is inappropriate – possibly creating a health hazard not only for themselves, but also for their neighbors. It should not be the responsibility of individual tenants to request, or not request, testing and clean ups. Testing and appropriate clean-up of all effected indoor spaces should be the responsibility of the government.

The EPA plan lacks any provision for the creating of a health registry and for medical surveillance of people exposed to toxic substances in Lower Manhattan. A health registry and medical surveillance are absolutely essential.

NYCOSH's 9/11-related work is conducted in partnership with the United Church of Christ's National Disaster Ministries, with additional support from the September 11th Fund created by the United Way of New York City and the New York Community Trust.

• For the complete text of the EPA May 8 press release announcing the Lower Manhattan clean-up program, click here.
  
  

• For links to news articles concerning the EPA announcement and related developments, click here.