9/11 Files Reveal Officials Knew of Ground Zero Air Contamination

NEW YORK, Sep 8: New York City has released more than 170,000 pages of previously undisclosed records detailing air-quality and contamination concerns in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the release at City Hall ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attacks. The records, recovered from 68 boxes discovered in a city government office, include contamination data, air-quality reports and communications among officials concerning toxic exposure and potential legal liability.

The documents indicate that officials were aware of serious contamination concerns around Ground Zero while publicly assuring New Yorkers that the air was safe, according to the records released by the city.

Mamdani said the disclosure was intended to provide survivors, first responders and the public with answers that had remained unavailable for years. He said the health consequences of the attacks continued long after the smoke and dust had cleared, with thousands of people who worked, lived or studied near Ground Zero later suffering illnesses.

The mayor acknowledged failures by officials in protecting those exposed to the toxic environment, saying people became sick after being assured that the air was safe to breathe.

The city has committed more than $34 million to establish a public portal through which hundreds of thousands of pages of records will eventually be made available free of charge. The initial release includes documents concerning asbestos contamination and the city's response to the disaster.