NYC Council Bill Seeks Release of 9/11 Air Toxin Reports, Probes Withheld Info

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New York City's Council is poised to vote on a significant bill that would compel city agencies to disclose long-concealed information about air toxins present after the September 11 attacks. The bill, spearheaded by Council Member Gale Brewer, is a response to the Adams administration's reluctance to release these documents due to concerns over potential legal liabilities for the city.

"The remaining residents and survivors of the attacks are deeply interested in what the city knew about the hazards of that period, and when, exactly, they knew it," said Brewer. She emphasized that the administration's refusal to release the information under the pretext of liability concerns is not a valid reason to keep the files hidden.

The resolution, which is expected to be introduced on Thursday, is designed to bypass mayoral veto power. It mandates the Department of Investigation (DOI) to secure city records detailing the types of toxins, their health impacts, and the extent of information shared with the public. If the bill passes, the DOI will be required to complete its investigation within two years, with biannual updates provided during that period.

Mayor Eric Adams, a former first responder who worked at Ground Zero, has faced criticism for not supporting the release of these documents. However, a spokesperson from his office stated, "We will review the legislation," and reiterated Adams' commitment to the 9/11 victims, first responders, and their families.

The push for transparency comes amid alarming statistics from the FDNY, which recently reported the ongoing loss of firefighters due to 9/11-related illnesses. Over the past year, more than two dozen firefighters have died from such conditions, and FDNY union president Andrew Ansbro warned that the situation continues to worsen. "Those of us that are still alive owe it to the families of the sick and those who have passed to uncover the facts about what the city knew after the attacks," Ansbro stated.

The bill represents a critical step in a long-standing battle to access these documents. Despite Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, letters, and even a lawsuit from survivors, the city has yet to release the requested information. This includes records from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection and the Office of Emergency Management, which have both claimed they possess no relevant documents.

Reps. Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) and Dan Goldman (NY-10) also weighed in earlier this year, criticizing the city’s approach. "The City dishonors these men and women, many now dead, by refusing to open its 9/11 files to the public," they wrote in a letter to Mayor Adams. They further condemned the city's contradictory public statements on the issue.

As the bill heads toward a vote, many are hopeful it will bring long-overdue transparency and accountability, offering some solace to those still suffering the consequences of the 9/11 attacks.