Brooklyn, NY - Congressman Edolphus Towns, 10th District New York and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization and Procurement, will hold an oversight hearing on Monday, April 23, 2007 at 10:00 AM, in the Brooklyn Borough Hall Courtroom at 209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, NY.  This hearing will examine both the Health and Environmental Effects to residents, first responders and the City of New York in the aftermath of 9/11.

Following the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center, a wide variety of physical and mental health effects have been reported.  Primary health effects include various injuries, respiratory conditions and mental health ailments.  In addition, the damage done to the buildings resulted in the release of a significant amount of toxins in the communities surrounding the World Trade Center. 

"Since the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, many New Yorkers have become ill due to dust from the rubble and other building materials at the World Trade Center site. The surrounding areas have also fallen victim to these attacks.  The release of toxins from the building materials has resulted in extremely adverse consequences for the environment." said Congressman Towns.

Among the witnesses for Monday's hearing are:

· Brooklyn Borough President Mary Markowitz;
· Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham (health);
· Mr. Peter Gudaitis, Executive Director, New York Disaster Interfaith Services;
· Anthony M. Szema, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine and Surgery SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine;
· Ms. Suzanne Mattei, Executive Director - Sierra Club of New York City;
· Mr. David M. Newman, Industrial Hygienist - New York Committee for Occupational Safety & Health

This hearing will examine the coordination of federal, state and local entities in terms of their response to the environmental concerns.  It will also address scientific evidence supporting the environmental and physiological damage to the surrounding communities and the people of New York City.  In addition, skepticism of the above claims, voiced by federal officials during a similar hearing in February will be confronted.  The potential health and environmental effects that could manifest themselves in the future, in addition to the steps taken by federal, state and local governments, gaps in agency coordination and potential next steps will also be discussed.

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