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Ground Zero residents protest cleanup deadline
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Lower Manhattan residents protested outside the offices of the Environmental Protection Agency Friday, demanding more time to register for a program to have their homes cleaned of toxins from the World Trade Center collapse. Saturday is the deadline for completing applications for the program, announced in May. Residents -- many of whom had to evacuate their homes for long periods after the twin towers were destroyed on September, 11 2001-- have complained that the EPA did not properly notify residents about the deadline or the details of the program. New York City Councilman Alan Gersen, who represents Lower Manhattan, said, "It is mind-boggling to me why the EPA is acting like an ostrich" on the deadline issue. An EPA spokesperson responded that the agency carried out a "major outreach" to inform citizens about the deadline, including a direct mail campaign and several newspaper advertisements. Lower Manhattan residents continue to be concerned that toxic particles from the collapse of the twin towers have contaminated the walls, floorboards and ventilation systems of buildings near Ground Zero. The EPA had initially determined that it was only responsible for outdoor air quality and that the city was responsible for indoor cleanup. But in May, the EPA agreed to clean the interiors of all residences south of Canal Street. Since then, 6,650 area residents requested cleaning or testing for toxins by the EPA via a toll-free hotline and a Web site.
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