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NYC ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS

WORLD TRADE CENTER COUGH VIDEO ABOVE

ALLOW BLOCKED CONTENT TO SEE THE VIDEO

Depending on which way the wind blew, the toxic dust from the WTC spread all around and thousands were exposed. 

Satellite shot of Manhattan's WTC Dust

The toxins from the 9/11 WTC Crash
were not confined to Lower Manhattan

As you can see from the photo above, the dust from the World Trade Center was not limited to Lower Manhattan.  When I first did the math, I was grateful that if 20,000 people were in the buildings when the first plane hit and 3,000 died, then 85% of the people got out alive.  Now, due to toxins and particulate matter found in the dust created by the exploding buildings, we know that it could be decades before the final death toll is calculated.  Unfortunately, first responders have already begun to die.

Reports are that the fall out from those buildings was as toxic as drain cleaner.  "World Trade Center Cough" is a new medical phrase.  According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) report, THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER ATTACKS - A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT "At least 10,000 New Yorkers have suffered short-term health ailments from Trade Center generated air contaminants." 

Those inspiring World Trade Center buildings, in addition to our precious loved ones,  held, as reported by the Natural Resources Defense Council NRDC, 1.2 million tons of building materials.  This was mixed with thousands of gallons of of jet fuel containing benzene and other toxic chemicals.  Included in the buildings contents were 300-400 tons of asbestos, 424,000 tons of concrete, an estimated 50,000 personal computers with 4 pounds of lead per computer or 200,000 pounds of lead just from the pc's, glass, PCB's, mercury from the light bulbs and computers, 130,000 gallons of transformer oil, and Lord knows what else.  NRDC reports that hundreds if not thousands of toxic components were released simultaneously.  NRDC calls the 9/11 disaster a "pollution event."

We need to give New York the money it needs to help heal itself, not cut Homeland Security funds.   The city took the bulk of the terrorist attack and needs help with medical, economic, clean-up and social issues.  The people need more than to just be "tracked". 

New York is set up for sick building syndrome, where toxic chemicals and other pathogens in a structure impact on the health of the building's occupants.  She needs to be thoroughly cleaned, inside and out, knowing that won't be all we need to do.  

People need health care, including exams and other health assistance.   We need to check out New Jersey, Long Island and all of New York City. 

(If you know or are this woman - Click Here)

(AP Photo)

Who Was There?

We know the names and faces.  Many who died on September 11, 2001, 9/11,  were probably at their computers and/or on their phones during the implosions at the World Trade Center.  What we don't know is how many more will die as a result of the drano quality air from the WTC.

Hundreds of thousands of people were in Lower Manhattan and the surrounding areas on September 11, 2001...millions were in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut metropolitan area which was visible from the viewing platform of the WTC.  Nobody escaped breathing the air for the days the dust was visible, and beyond. 

For the first time in memory, the City of New York was physically shut down.   The bridges and tunnels were closed.  The city's leadership encouraged the people of New York to stay calm.   Military personnel was brought in.  It was the worst time ever in New York.

What Is The Problem?

Toxic materials are not human friendly.  Among the issues we failed to resolve are:  What toxins at what levels are in the air? What about indoor air?  Is the dust from the roofs getting into the buildings and being circulated?   What are the people who have survived long term exposure to toxic materials doing to minimize risk? 

The whole island of Manhattan is about 13 miles long, which is not very large.   Dust re-distributes itself and like a street side card game, you never really know where it will turn up next.  "Some residents of the area have complained that five months after the attacks they are still not sure their apartments were adequately cleaned, or if they remain in danger from substances such as asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, or lead, which can cause cancer or neurological damage after long-term exposure.

''No one tells you what to keep and what to toss,'' said Elizabeth Berger, who lives just 150 yards from Ground Zero with her husband and two children. ''Let me tell you, everyone downtown knows that we are the baseline of the 30-year study on what happens when worlds collide."

A delayed health crisis in relation to exposure to toxic materials is not without precedence.  For instance, according to Major Doug Rokke, PhD in health physics in an article published in Yes Magazine.com.  At the completion of the Gulf War, when we came back to the United States in the fall of 1991, we had a total casualty count of 760: 294 dead, a little over 400 wounded or ill. But the casualty rate now for Gulf War veterans is approximately 30 percent. Of those stationed in the theater, including after the conflict, 221,000 have been awarded disability, according to a Veterans Affairs (VA) report issued September 10, 2002.  We are in danger of a delayed health crisis resulting from the toxins eaten, drank and breathed containing the dust from the fallen buildings.

A deep rooted fear regarding long term health effects from the exploded buildings is emerging, and with good reason.  Initially, a group of people had to go through the Freedom Of Information Act to get EPA air quality reports released.  Though at least 200,000 pounds of lead was released ,the EPA reports no elevated lead levels in the air.  What about the land?

They said the air was safe to breathe and the water was safe to drink.  It was revealed years later that the White House altered the report so, with misplaced faith in the system, New Yorkers stayed put and ate, breathed and drank the dust from the WTC.

U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (one of the good guys in a lead role in this crisis) said "It is absurd that the EPA has claimed publicly that it doesn't have the legal authority to do necessary environmental tests and remediation in response to the World Trade Center attacks when it has clearly done residential work throughout the country.'" "Why is New York being treated differently?"

When Will The Health Effects Be Felt?

Health effects are already appearing.  Some of the first responders are already dying and it could be up to 30 years before the cancers, squamous cell and mesothelioma fully develop.  Both can have an environmental root.  Squamous Cell from chemical exposure and mesothelioma from asbestos are two cancers that common sense tells you are dangers.   

Bea  and James Hardin, owners of a lead removal company in Portland, Oregon at the time, shared their concerns for New Yorkers chronically exposed to lead and other carcinogens.

 'Once lead, and we are sure asbestos to a degree, is in material fabric, YOU WILL NEVER GET IT OUT. It may get cleaned to an acceptable level of exposure, but you will never get it out.'  Clothing, carpet and even stuffed toys can facilitate exposure to toxic substances from the dust.  Some New Yorkers have opted to throw everything out they owned and move because it was the only way to be free of the WTC dust.

I thought the Wall Street Crash of 1929 was the worst it could get downtown.    I was wrong.  Fine and coarse particles in the air are part of what was in the dense, light blocking dust that covered downtown Manhattan.  According to the EPA "Several recently published community health studies indicate that significant respiratory and cardiovascular-related problems are associated with exposure to particle levels well below the existing particulate matter standards. These negative effects include premature death, hospital admissions from respiratory causes, and increased respiratory symptoms. Long-term exposure to particulate matter may increase the rate of respiratory and cardiovascular illness and reduce life span."  http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/regusmog/infpart.html

Where is The Relevant Information?

For starters, go to :http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/doh/html/alerts/911.html  for the

New York City Department of Health
Responds to the World Trade Center (WTC) Disaster

Public Health Advisory Concerning Air Quality in the Affected Area of the World Trade Center Disaster located at http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/doh/html/alerts/wtc1.html

"DEP is monitoring the ambient outdoor air for asbestos. This effort is augmenting ambient air asbestos sampling being done by the EPA and other state and city agencies. There is currently no outdoor ambient standard for asbestos." This information is on http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/dep/html/airmonit.html 

The EPA site is  www.epa.gov and their response to 9/11 page is located at http://www.epa.gov/wtc/

The National Resources Defense Council's page on the situation is http://www.nrdc.org/cities/wtc/wtcinx.asp   They have a great summary report at http://www.nrdc.org/cities/wtc/intro.asp

REP.  JERROLD NADLER has his site at  http://www.house.gov/nadler/welcome.htm.  Rep. Nadler and Senators Clinton and Liberman are taking powerful stands conducting hearings and taking actions on the issue.  Please participate. 

Sen. Clinton's main site is at http://clinton.senate.gov/ and her plan regarding the Ground Zero Air Quality situation is at http://clinton.senate.gov/news/2002/02/2002212A17.html  Senator Hillary Clinton has a bill S.1621 that will establish a registry for people exposed.

Senator Liberman's main page is http://lieberman.senate.gov/,  That page will take you to his site.  I assume he has the common sense that asks if the dust reached Connecticut.

Contact your elected and appointed officials, news media, community organizations and speak out on this important issue.

Why Do We Need To Act Now?

Six months later, you could still find World Trade Center dust on the floor of buildings, window sills and railings, as pictured above. The above photo was shot by Harlem community activist, Albert Davis in his call to action

Former EPA head Christie Whitman is trying to explain why she didn't report findings by the U.S. Geological Survey showing some of the World Trade Center dust was as caustic as drain cleaner.  Let me know if you remember if the president mentioned the air dangers when he went to Ground Zero.  The phrase 'wear your protective gear' would have had meaning at the time.  Did he encourage them to wear their respirators?  Nope.  Just altered the report to calm the folks.  A kull in the first degree in my opinion.  Just my opinion.  The area should have been evacuated, like New Orleans' Katrina should have been evacuated.

New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler is questioning the EPA for its response to the situation.  ''It took less than two weeks in September'' to test the alkalinity of the dust, Nadler said. ''We must determine why the EPA hid this information from the public.''

How Do We Accomplish
The Goal of a Safe New York?

New York City is in a financial, emotional and social crisis as a result of the September 11^th attacks.  Though the federal government talks of sending billions to New York, New Yorkers are told to tighten their belts.

What needs to be done?  Here’s the short list.

1. Demand that the federal government send more funds to help New York heal herself.  - Money sent - more needed

2. Demand that the EPA release the original report of what they found in the dust.

3. Study the environmental impact beyond lower Manhattan.  That toxic dust has been carried by winds, and has spread beyond the borders of Manhattan.  From the top of the World Trade Center one could see 3 states.  We need to test at least as far as the eye could see.

4. Arrange for medical attention for all who were there, especially children and seniors, for exposure to toxic chemicals and other substances.  Many don't have health insurance.  This is a critical population that we need to remove financial barriers to health care.   

5. Initiate a community awareness program of the medical signs for health problems.

6. Make available hydrotherapy and medical marijuana health information.  Legalize hemp, tax it at 20% for the funds necessary.

7. We need to create better notification and evacuation procedures for catastrophic events. Five years later and there is still no evacuation plan in the event of another disaster.

8. Support legislation that helps those exposed to the toxins from the exploded buildings, WTC 1, 2 and 7.

9. Continue to pray for and implement innovative ways to minimize any long-term effects. 

10. Look to folks who have healed themselves from life threatening ailments like Niro Markoff who healed herself from HIV/ARC AIDS) in 1986 and was herself at Ground Zero for three months. 

Since we can find the money for war, we can find the money for healing.  New York has traditionally paid much more into the federal government than she took out.  Failure to give New York the help she needs to heal herself can result in all of us being in a much worse condition.  Lessons learned can be applied elsewhere.  Supporting New York is supporting America.

If you'd like to check out what Albert Einstein says about these times, click here to read his 1938 MESSAGE FOR POSTERITY

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