New York City has released over 170,000 pages of air quality records from the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, raising concerns about officials’ awareness of unsafe conditions at Ground Zero.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced on Tuesday the release of more than 170,000 pages of air quality records related to the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. Mamdani asserts that these documents reveal that city officials were aware of the unsafe air quality around Ground Zero, despite repeatedly assuring the public that it was safe to breathe.
“As the years pass and the human toll grows, we reckon with the cost of September 11th whenever another New Yorker is stolen from us too soon,” Mamdani stated during a news conference. “Now, close to 25 years later, more people have died from 9/11-related illnesses than were killed on the day itself.”
According to the 9/11 Memorial, at least 140,000 individuals from all 50 states have enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program, with 49,000 diagnosed with certified cancers related to the World Trade Center disaster. Mamdani noted that many more individuals are eligible for assistance but have not yet enrolled, including residents who lived near the site and those who have since moved outside New York.
When Congress established the health program in 2011, cancer was not initially included as a covered condition. This change came after advocacy efforts highlighted elevated cancer rates among firefighters who worked at Ground Zero.
Reports indicate that the newly released documents contain only a portion of the air quality assessments conducted at Ground Zero. They also include internal communications, notably the “Harding Memo,” which was sent to then-Deputy Mayor Robert Harding. This memo indicated that city officials anticipated thousands of potential lawsuits related to 9/11 air exposure and the absence of adequate safety measures. It also proposed legislative alternatives to limit the city’s legal liability.
<p“People got sick because the leaders they trusted lied and told them they were safe to breathe in toxic air,” Mamdani remarked, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
When questioned about whether the delay in releasing these documents constituted a cover-up, Mamdani responded, “This was multiple mayoral administrations refusing to release documents that New Yorkers were owed.”
The mayor was joined at the news conference by families of 9/11 victims and Jon Stewart, a prominent advocate for increased transparency and resources for first responders and survivors. Stewart expressed his outrage, stating, “There was poison in the air, and on the ground, and in the window sills, and in your air conditioners and covering your pets and your clothes, and it stayed there for months. Everyone knew. Now it’s very clear that the city knew as well.”
The release of these records marks a significant moment in the ongoing conversation about the health impacts of the September 11 attacks and the responsibilities of city officials in safeguarding public health.
For further details, see CNN.