Giuliani Blames Whitman Back On WTC Site Air Problems

[hatrack]

CBS) NEW YORK Former mayor Rudy Giuliani spoke out Sunday for the first time and played the blame game about the air quality at ground zero. CBS 2 obtained documents which allege the government reopened lower Manhattan even though the air was not safe. Former Environmental Protection Agency director Christie Whitman blamed the city. Giuliani on Sunday said not so fast. The true blame rests with her.

It's now war. In an exclusive interview with CBS 2, Giuliani slammed Whitman for making people believe the air at ground zero was safe. "The reports we had on air quality from the EPA was the air quality was healthy or at least it wasn't dangerous," Giuliani told CBS 2's Dave Carlin.

EDIT

One report the city apparently didn't put out was an explosive memo from the EPA to the city Health Department dated Oct. 5, 2001. It didn't mince words, stating of ground zero: "this site...poses threats to workers related to potential exposure to hazardous substances."

Three weeks after the EPA memo, Giuliani's environmental commissioner, Joel Miele, was still saying the air was safe. "For the residents and people who are working in the open area that has been created downtown there is no realistic danger to the health," Miele said.

EDIT

http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_254020348.html

[SteppingRazor]

1. I love it when they eat their own

:evilgrin:

[Buzz Clik]

2. Giuliani is years late to the party. Hillary was all over Whitman on this

[Sven77]

3. 60 Minutes: White House Officials Changed EPA Reports after 9/11

60 Minutes: White House Officials Changed EPA Reports after 9/11

In her first report for 60 Minutes, Katie Couric examines the health effects and fallout from the toxic dust inhaled by first responders at Ground Zero. She reports that nearly 25% of the FDNY is suffering from respiratory problems that can be directly linked to Ground Zero and that Bush administration officials changed the EPA press releases to sound more "reassuring" Couric requested an interview with Mayor Giuliani. He declined!

[Wilms]

4. Thanks n/t