New York concealed information about air toxicity around Ground Zero, an investigation based on recently released documents reveals. The files show what the city knew about the presence of toxic air in the area where the Twin Towers once stood, when it obtained this information, and how it acted to try to limit its legal liability.
Council member Zohran Mamdani was the voice of this revelation during a press conference, where he emphasized the importance of the now-known documents. According to Mamdani, the records prove that New York authorities had knowledge of air toxicity risks before making decisions that affected the population.
The case emerges 25 years after the September 11, 2001 attacks, when thousands of people were exposed to toxic fumes and particles resulting from the collapse of the buildings. For years, survivors and victims' families fought unsuccessfully to hold authorities accountable for the lack of adequate protection during rescue operations and debris removal.
