Did White House Release Misleading Information On 9-11 Air? White House Altered EPA Reports?

NBC Report ^ | 09-03-02

[Brian S]

NBC Report: White House Altered EPA Reports On Safety Of Air Quality

POSTED: 9:19 p.m. EDT September 3, 2003 UPDATED: 11:19 p.m. EDT September 3, 2003

Just a week after Sept. 11, 2001, the agency responsible for the environmental health of Americans-- the Environmental Protection Agency -- declared the air and water safe in New York.

But now, in her first interview, the EPA's top watchdog says the agency didn't have the facts when it said it was safe to move back to the offices and homes near ground zero -- and she's pointing the finger all the way to the White House.

In the wake of 9/11, there were serious concerns about whether the air around ground zero was filled with toxins that were unsafe for workers and residents.

But by Sept. 18, 2001, many New Yorkers were back in their apartments and on the job. Partly because of a press release that day from the EPA reassuring New Yorkers that "their air is safe to breathe."

In an exclusive interview, Inspector General Nikki Tinsley - the EPA's top watchdog -- told NBC News that the agency simply did not have sufficient data to justify such a reassurance.

In fact, a new report by Tinsley's office says at the time, more than 25 percent of dust samples collected before Sept. 18, 2001, showed unsafe levels of asbestos. But the EPA had no test results at all on PCBs, dioxins, or particulates in the air that can cause respiratory problems.

"The EPA did not give the people of New York complete information," Tinsley said. "It had put together press releases that were more informative than those that it ultimately released."

So what happened?

Tinsley's report charged that in crucial days after 9/11, the White House changed EPA press releases to "add reassuring statements and delete cautionary ones."

On Sept. 13, 2001, the EPA draft release that was never released to the public said that EPA "testing terrorized sites for environmental hazards." The White House changed that to EPA "reassures public about environmental hazards."

On Sept 16, 2001, the EPA draft said that "recent samples of dust ... on Water Street show higher levels of asbestos." The White House version read: "new samples confirm ... ambient air quality meets OSHA government standards," and "is not a cause for public concern."

The White House omitted from the report this warning: "That air samples raise concerns for cleanup workers and office workers near Water Street."

So why were all of these changes made? Tinsley believes it was for security public relations.

"We were told that a desire to reopen Wall Street and national security concerns were the reasons for changing the press releases," Tinsley said.

When all the tests on PCBs and particulates did come in, they did not raise any red flags. But that does not satisfy Kathryn Freed, who lives near Ground zero and now has been diagnosed with bronchitis possibly caused by chemicals from 9/11. She never left her apartment, and feels misled.

"I did influence people to stay," Freed said. "I mean, it kind of made me feel better, I'm not sure I really believed it but there was part of me that said 'well, it's OK and I've just got to do what I've got to do' and there won't be health problems."

While Tinlsey suggests the White House misled the public about the air quality around Ground zero, she stops short of accusing anyone of actually lying, or knowingly providing false information. And Tinsley says the EPA handled most things during 9/11 very well.

In her first broadcast interview on this topic, former EPA Administrator Christie Whitman denies misleading anyone.

"The White House never directed the Environmental Protection Agency to withhold facts or to lie to the people of the city of New York."

James Connaughton, the head of the White House environmental policy group that changed the 9/11 press releases, agrees.

"We used the best information to us available at the time," Connaughton said.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

So why were all of these changes made? Tinsley believes it was for security public relations.

"We were told that a desire to reopen Wall Street and national security concerns were the reasons for changing the press releases," Tinsley said.

So, which was it, security, or public relations?

[isthisnickcool]

White House employee at "unsafe site".

[exit82]

Clinton passes on Bin Laden, causes 9/11, and we're worried now about air that was breathed two years ago?

Yeah, NBC has their priorities straight.

[Arkinsaw]

So, which was it, security, or public relations?

Both. The two are not mutually exclusive concepts. Imagine everyone afraid to go into New York City for months after 911 over the wording of an EPA report that had insufficient data anyway. That would have been really good for national security.

[w1andsodidwe]

Well cetainly blame the Bush adminstration, not the terrorists for the bad air. That ought to be a great campaign strategy for the demonRATS.

[WOSG]

Is the author of this article a former Soviet agent who kidnaps and rapes little kids? And when did the author stop beating his wife anyway?

We'll never know, but we do know you can make interesting headlines out of (mis)leading questions!

[timpad]

MSNBC carryin' Sillary's water again, huh?

[concerned about politics]

I think they did just fine. It's been years, and everyone is ok. The tests they did showed no problems.
Might better not panic the public because the air smells. Of course it would smell.
I think the Democrats (Hillary started this) are searching to make Bush look like a liar to justify Clinton. They want to make it look like "everybody does it." They also want law suits for their lawyer DNC donations. It'll also hurt the economy if they can pull it off. They're terrorists hiding behind the cover of " We only do it for you - the American people."
Unless they can portray Bush to be like Clinton (It'll never happen. He isn't anything like Clinton), they'll never get rid of little Billy's legacy.
In my opinion, this is nothing. It's like "Bush lied during the state of the union address", and that one fell flat on it's face. The Democrats are showing their true color - puke green.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I agree with you, and understand your point.

But the author seems to suggest that these reasons are in conflict and that this means the WH did not handle the situation correctly.

I think the WH did the best that they could, with what they knew at the time.

[AD from SpringBay]

This has got to be THE lamest attempt at stirring up a controversy that I have seen.

[SandRat]

They used to call Pres. Reagan the Tefflon coated President because nothing the press or the DumieWits threw at him could stick.

This is just the latest at GW. Nothing they've thrown so far has stuck and in fact keeps landing and sticking back on them.

GW must be the "Force-Field" President.

[Alter Kaker]

Clinton passes on Bin Laden, causes 9/11, and we're worried now about air that was breathed two years ago?

Nonsense. Bin Laden and 19 hijackers cause 9/11. Clinton may have been negligent, but full blame must remain with Wahabbi fanatics. As to second point, this is serious issue, because many workers in Lower Manhattan area did not wear respirators that were available at time because they were told air was safe. As result, a great many have suffer heart and lung problems, including permanent disability. Blame EPA.

[Mo1]

When all the tests on PCBs and particulates did come in, they did not raise any red flags

So the tests came back ok?? .. then what is she complaining about??

Oh and Niki isn't from some watchdog group .. she is an Inspector General of the EPA .. who just happens to have been appointed by Bill Clinton

And who just happens to be speaking out 2 years later at the same time that Hillary Clinton was on her activists soap box screaming about emails at the white house

[MJY1288]

What a non-story....

It wouldn't have mattered if the EPA announced that the air in New York was so toxic that prolonged exposure might kill you! The FDNY, NYPD and all the other first responders would not have left the scene.

Americans have always been their best when times are the worst and that will never change.

Those who want to politicize the events of 9/11 with meaningless accusations such as this one should be condemned by all Americans who can see through this abvious opportunism

[exit82]

This is not nonsense. The recents news is the book by Richard Miniter that shows that on many occassions, Clinton ignored getting Bin Laden or retaliating for other terrorist attacks in his eight year tenure. That enabled Bin Laden to survive and orchestrate 9/11. So, yes, Clinton is responsible for not protecting this nation, and for 9/11.

It may be nonsense to you, but it is fact to me.

[At _War_With_Liberals]

"When all the tests on PCBs and particulates did come in, they did not raise any red flags."

Case closed. Its all about the monaay, as usual.

So, the first draft titles of press releases are never changed? These were the only exception.

There is a huge bullsh** scam in NYC about 'breathing' diseases... being perpetrated by some citizens, doctors, enviro whackos, politicians, civil rights groups, and LAWYERS. Its all about money and special interest group agendas.

You can take that to the bank.

[Mo1]

Nonsense. Bin Laden and 19 hijackers cause 9/11. Clinton may have been negligent, but full blame must remain with Wahabbi fanatics.

Clinton shares the blame .. there are documents to prove that on at least 12 occasion, he could have taken Bin Laden out and Clinton choose to ignore it. Because of his failure to be a leader, Bin Ladin was able to plan 9/11, The bombing of the USS Cole and others

Did Clinton fly those planes into those builds??

No he did not

But he also did nothing to prevent it from happening

[Fred Mertz]

It wouldn't have mattered if the EPA announced that the air in New York was so toxic that prolonged exposure might kill you!

What about the chillrun?

[At _War_With_Liberals]

"As result, a great many have suffer heart and lung problems, including permanent disability. "

BOO HOO HOO. This isn't Chernoble, Ivan.