NYC government misled public on 9/11 air quality, newly released documents suggest

The New York City government misled the public in the aftermath of 9/11 about the toxicity of Ground Zero air, according to long-secret files being released by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

The files, over 170,000 pages of documents being posted online, show that nearly a year after the collapse of the World Trade Center, air tests still detected asbestos everywhere near Ground Zero, despite assurances from officials that the air was safe.

"It would be one thing if government had stood alongside survivors and provided them with everything they needed at every step of the way. And yet, we know that could not be further from what actually happened," Mamdani said at news conference at City Hall on Tuesday morning. "People got sick because the leaders they trusted lied and told them they were safe to breathe in the toxic air."

For years, those who have developed 9/11-related illnesses like cancer and their advocates have pushed for the release of the files, but encountered resistance from successive mayoral administrations.

The number of 9/11-related illnesses has passed 97,000, including respiratory trouble, stomach ailments and numerous cancers.

The release of the documents settles two lawsuits against the city, said the city's top lawyer, corporation counsel Steve Banks.

"Today, we demonstrate that ‘never forget’ is hollow if it is not met with action," Banks said. "This is only the beginning."

The comedian Jon Stewart, an advocate for 9/11 survivors and first responders, criticized the city officials of a quarter-century ago.

"These people had to fight, sick and dying, for years," Stewart said of those who pushed for the documents' release.

Stu Loeser, a spokesman for Michael Bloomberg now and during his mayoralty, which began on Jan. 1, 2002, declined to comment.

Rudy Giuliani, who was New York City mayor on Sept. 11, 2001, did not return texts, calls or an email.

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