Fallout: The Environmental Consequences of the World Trade Center Collapse

Within days of the September 11th attack in New York City, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman, together with Time Man of the Year Rudy Giuliani, reassured New Yorkers that air "contaminants are either not detectable or are below the Agency's concern levels."

In fact, EPA tests taken at the time showed high concentrations of toxic materials in the air downtown, including asbestos, dioxins, and heavy metals. Con Edison and the Port Authority revealed—two months afte...