Res. No 2135
Title
Resolution calling upon the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct baseline health measurements and long-term monitoring of individuals working and residing within a fifteen block radius of the World Trade Center site.
Body
By Council Members Freed, Carrion, Clarke, Malave-Dilan, Linares, Michels, Quinn and Sabini; also Council Member Foster
Whereas, The September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center caused the collapse of the twin towers and widespread physical damage to surrounding areas; and
Whereas, The collapse and burning of the remains of the World Trade Center have caused various chemicals and particulate matter, such as fiberglass, asbestos, benzene, chlorinated dioxins, chromium, copper, lead, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and sulfur dioxide, to be continuously emitted into the air; and
Whereas, Exposure to such chemicals and particulate matter can cause adverse short-term health effects, such as asthma, nosebleeds, coughing, headaches, dizziness and nausea; and
Whereas, Although the exact adverse long-term health effects of consistent exposure to such chemicals and particulate matter is unknown, maladies such as anemia, leukemia, liver and kidney damage, skin diseases, memory loss, stomach and thyroid damage, and various forms of cancer, have been linked to chemicals and particulate matter associated with the wake of the World Trade Center disaster; and
Whereas, Children exposed to certain elements (some of which have been emitted by the World Trade Center site) have increased chances of developing ailments such as lead poisoning, and other neurological and behavioral problems; and
Whereas, Since the September 11 attacks, conflicting data has been released by governmental and private sources concerning the air quality in Lower Manhattan; and
Whereas, There is insufficient data to predict the impact of these chemicals and particulate matter on the long-term health of individuals working and residing near the World Trade Center site; and
Whereas, According to testimony delivered to the Council's Subcommittee on Federal Affairs on October 29, 2001, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has discussed with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the possibility of conducting baseline health assessments on the firefighters who responded to the September 11 attacks; and
Whereas, According to testimony delivered at the above-mentioned hearing, the CDC has been working with New York City in attempting to determine whether similar baseline health assessments should be conducted among other World Trade Center disaster responders (i.e., rescue workers, emergency medical technicians, police officers); and
Whereas, Given the dearth of information concerning the long-term health effects of continuous exposure to the chemicals and particulate matter emitted by the World Trade Center site, a singular federal agency, such as the CDC, should conduct baseline and continuous measurements and studies of the health of individuals working and residing near the such site; and
Whereas, The information taken from these measurements will aid local agencies in taking preventative measures to avoid the further exposure of New York City residents to harmful matter and alerting all residents of potential health problems associated with exposure to materials emanating from the World Trade Center site; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the New York City Council calls upon the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct baseline health measurements and long-term monitoring of individuals working and residing within a fifteen block radius of the World Trade Center site.
JM
LS# 4666
12/05/01
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