Newly released government documents indicate that New York City officials knew the air quality around ground zero following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks was toxic, but misled residents and first responders by stating it was safe to breathe, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Tuesday.
More than 170,000 pages of documents were made public online as part of a settlement between New York City and 9/11 health advocacy groups. These records detail what four mayoral administrations understood about the long-term health risks and dangers posed by the aftermath of the World Trade Center collapse.
"People got sick because the leaders they trusted lied and told them they were safe to breathe in toxic air," Mamdani stated at a press conference held at City Hall. He noted that health issues related to the attacks have since caused more fatalities than the initial event.
The public portal for these documents will continue to be updated over the next six months, with more than $34 million allocated for its operation and maintenance, the mayor's office said.
This release follows a lawsuit filed by the nonprofit organization 911 Health Watch, which accused city employees of intentionally hiding public records after the tragedy and acting like an "authoritarian regime" rather than public servants. The organization stated that access to these records was restricted even for City Council members and members of Congress.
Among the documents are records of emailed complaints concerning asbestos and other contaminants found in and around nearby buildings. The records also address how existing cleaning methods were deemed ineffective and hazardous.
City officials initially placed the responsibility for cleanup on building owners, including both interior and exterior surfaces. Public guidance was provided on how to manage hazardous materials, such as "asbestos-containing material." However, a 2003 report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, included in the newly released files, indicated that most residents did not follow the city's recommended cleaning practices. The EPA report noted that "the increased risk that residents placed themselves in by cleaning residences themselves is not known."
