EPA Accused of Neglect In 9/11 Cleanup

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http://www.nydailynews.com/2002-03-29/News_and_Views/City_Beat/a-145894.asp

March 29, 2002

EPA Accused of Neglect In 9/11 Cleanup

A watchdog for the Environmental Protection Agency has accused the agency of

neglecting its responsibility and urged a cleanup of buildings contaminated

by World Trade Center debris.

" EPA has abandoned its responsibility for cleaning up buildings [both inside

and out] that are contaminated, or that are being recontaminated, as a

result of the uncontrolled chemical releases from the World Trade Center

terrorist attacks, " Ombudsman wrote in a March 27 letter to

Jane Kenny, head of the agency's New York region.

also called on the agency to upgrade the air filtration system at

Stuyvesant High School on Chambers St. while it is closed this week during

spring break.

EPA spokeswoman Mears said the agency was reviewing the

recommendations. " Right now, federal state and local experts do not know

whether an interior cleanup is needed, " she said.

She noted that the Federal Emergency Management Agency already had agreed to

pay the costs of cleaning debris from the rooftops of buildings near the

Trade Center site so cleaned apartments won't be recontaminated.

Alison Gendar