Posted on 09/03/2003 9:10:02 PM PDT by 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.
If Clinton had not been president, 9/11 would never have happened. The CIA chief was trying to get Clintons attention since 1992 to warn him about Bin Ladin. He was small then, but the CIA chief felt he should be stopped. Clinton ignored the CIA until about 1996. Then he still did nothing except put Bin Ladin on a "wanted" list, and bombed an empty asprin factory for political cover.
Clinton didn't want to make waves on his watch. He did nothing to stop the terrorists. He looked the other way every time Americans died at the hands of these killers. Every time!!
Clinton is just a guilty as the highjackers. His job was to protect the American citizens, but he let Americans die for his own image.
I'd put him on equal ground with Bin Ladin. He aided them by not aiding us.
NEW YORK - (KRT) - Saying she knows "how White Houses work," Sen. Hillary Clinton slammed the Bush administration yesterday for misleading New Yorkers about air quality in lower Manhattan after the Sept. 11 terrorist attack.
At a City Hall news conference, the former First Lady called for a Senate probe into allegations the administration pressured regulators to give false reassurances about safety at Ground Zero.
"I know a little bit about how White Houses work," the New York Democrat said. "I know … somebody in that White House, probably under instructions from somebody further up the chain, told the EPA, `Don't tell the people of New York the truth.'
"And I want to know who that is."
Last week, Environmental Protection Agency Inspector General Nikki Tinsley released a report saying the White House "convinced the EPA to add reassuring statements and delete cautionary ones" in its early news releases.
The information withheld included guidance on indoor cleaning, as well as potential health dangers posed by asbestos, lead, concrete and pulverized glass, the report found.
"New Yorkers put themselves at further risk because the EPA misled them," said New York City Councilman David Yassky, noting that many people went back to work because of the agency's seal of approval about the air.
In October 2001, Daily News columnist Juan Gonzalez obtained internal government reports showing that toxic chemicals and metals were released into the environment by the fiery collapse of the twin towers.
In a letter to President Bush co-signed by Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., Clinton asked for more testing. She also asked for all communications between the White House and the EPA about air quality in lower Manhattan.
The White House referred calls to the President's Council on Environmental Quality, and a spokeswoman for the council said officials "reject" the premise of Clinton's news conference.
I'm posting my comment here. I think it's all germane because just a few weeks ago there was an article about what was planned for this year's 9/11. The lefacy media folks IMO made it clear -- it's going to be a Bush bashing festival.
About the other article: The authors, Allan Wood and Paul Thompson are perfect for Norry's Coast-to-Coast show. If only they could get in a hint or two that the Bush family members are extraterrestrial reptiles -- they already have anti-Bush credentials they just need that little extra. Thak goodness for Barbara Simpsonon the weekends.
The article is very detailed and well sourced account. But why do the authors make such a big deal I'm wondering as I read it. If you block their snide little comments it's an excellent account. Their purpose is no more than to ask and answer the question:
So what did the Commander in Chief do with the knowledge that the United States was under attack?
He did nothing.
Nothing? Like all those tens of thousands of GS-99s and generals have to wait until a single man, the President, tells them precisely how to react, step by step? Don't they train? Aren't they suppose to get the facts? Put in motion plans. Have everything in motion?
So the President didn't immediately -- like within 15 - 20 minutes know exactly what to do. You mean Presidents, GS-99s, and generals are immune to the "fog of war?" They know everything within a nano second? The authors say it's absurd that the President didn't start leading the war effort and "making decisions as Commander in Chief." Like what? He met with his staff in a nearby classroom -- more criticism by the authors for his not leaving -- boy they really wanted him out of that school building!
Air Force One took off at either 9:55 or 9:57 a.m.
Now are the authors happy? No. They complain that Bush didn't arrange for fighter escort -- remember only he can decide everything. Those tens of thousands of GS-99s and generals can't do anything by themselves.
Bet her lawyer friends will make a bundle off of the lawsuits too .. which I'm sure will just help the state of New York
She is a piece of work
Democrats seem to think every one is just like them - lieing, thieving, crimminal skanks. SUPRISE! Not all people are Democrats, Hillary.
Well, duh! Of course there was higher levels of asbestos in the air -- two huge 110-story buildings built with asbestos insulation just crashed to the ground. The EPA version was unfinished and alarmist. The very next question after reading that "recent samples of dust ... show higher levels of asbestos" would be: "How much more do they show?" and "Is it safe?" The White House version answered those questions: the levels, although they were indeed higher, were nonetheless still under OSHA standards for safe exposure. The White House version made that point a lot clearer. They were not "hiding" tests indicating unsafe levels of asbestos dust in the air like the reporter tries to insinuate.
How much you wanna bet that the Clinton's knew of this new book coming out and this 2 year old non-story news is a way to divert attention from the book?
I wouldn't put anything past Hellary
If so, it had to be from smaller nearby buildings.
The original plans for both towers had asbestos in the building plans. The environmentalists had a fit, and the building engineeers had to remove it and replace it with something "safer." That's why the towers burned the way they did. The original plans had them being 2 of the safest buildings ever built.
Yeah, anything to deflect from the book that's just come out this week, by Richard Miniter, re: the toon's massive bunglings, failing to catch ObL what was it, 12 times? during the 90s.
And we all know how extremely rare bronchitis is.
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