Fallout
Subtitle: the environmental consequences of the World Trade Center collapse
By: Juan González.
Publisher: New Press
Published: 2002
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 150
Subjects: September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001 -- Health aspects -- New York (State) -- New York; September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001 -- Environmental aspects -- New York (State) -- New York; Environmental health -- New York (State) -- New York; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- New York (State) -- New York
Description: Within days of the September 11th attack in New York City, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman, together with Rudy Giuliani, reassured New Yorkers that air "contaminants are either not detectable or are below the Agency's concern levels". In fact, EPA tests taken at the time showed high concentrations of toxic materials in the air downtown, including asbestos, dioxins, and heavy metals. Con Edison and the Port Authority revealed--two months after the attack--that nearly 200,000 gallons of diesel fuel and transformer oils, much of it contaminated with low-level PCBs, had escaped beneath Ground Zero. And independent measurements of indoor air, widespread because the agency declined to test private buildings, showed astronomically higher readings. Journalist Juan Gonzalez argues that public officials misled New Yorkers about the real dangers of toxic contamination after September 11. Their failure may have profound effects on the long-term health of New Yorkers and the reputation of the ex-mayor.
Notes: Includes index.