The tenants of the projects Jacob Riis public housingin Lower Manhattan, they are “terrified”. It’s the word they use to describe how they feel, after it was confirmed a few days ago that traces of arsenic were found in the waters of that housing complex in New York, and then the authorities retracted, assuring that the initial report was a mistake by the laboratory that analyzed the liquid.
Even if his alcalde, Eric Adams, visited on Jacob Riis’ apartments, where he even drank a glass of water, stating that there is nothing to fear and that it is safe to drink the liquid, New York residents not only do not believe him. Not only do they not trust the calm side of the municipal president, but this Monday they announced a lawsuit against the municipality and against NYCHA for $ 10 million in damages.
That’s how he revealed it attorney sanford rubensteinduring a demonstration held in front of the projects by Jacob Riis, who explained that it represents 35 tenants who are suffering the ravages of the double information on the quality of the water there, which generated a lot of fear.
“They are entitled to compensation for fear of getting sick. And certainly when a report comes out that there is arsenic in the water, and possibly legionnaires’ disease in the water, it makes sense that people are afraid of getting sick. ” Rubinstein said.
The lawyer
“While it remains unclear as to the presence of dangerous chemicals in the water, residents’ fear of getting sick is also grounds for action for damage,” the lawyer said.
And it is that mistrust already reigns among the tenants of that NYCHA residential complex, who confessed that since the information on arsenic in the water emerged and then with the City’s admission of error, they did not want to risk drinking the liquid.
with a distressed face, Yesenia cricketwho claims to have lived 50 years of his life in Jacob Riis, has asked the Adams administration not to play with the peace and safety of poor New York tenants, warning that in order to believe again that water is consumable, Multiple tests with different agencies are needed to ensure there is no risk.
“The truth, I feel bad. I am desperate, because I don’t know what to believe anymore. These people always say things and leave you full of fear. It is not enough that one day it is said that something so big was a laboratory error. They must be serious. ” commented the Puerto Rican.
The Puerto Rican, who lives in her apartment with her mother and daughter, said she doesn’t believe the water is as clean and clear as after. mayor adam He mentioned, and even expressed the feeling that several discomforts he has had to his health for years could be caused by the contaminated water, for which he required more tests.
“My hair falls out a lot, I have constant headaches and I want to throw up. I didn’t know why, but now with this water thing, I think it might be that. We are all sick and this is certainly the reason “, said the mother of the family, who also asked for the creation of a special group so that New York residents tests are done to rule out arsenic damage.
The tenant took the opportunity to ask the City that while there is a final report that is “truly reliable”, the Adams administration reimburse them for the amount they spent on water and food, because out of fear they were unable to prepare food at home.
“It’s as if we poor people can’t say anything and our lives aren’t worth it. This hurts and even more to see that there are many elderly people here and they need help ”, added the woman.
A similar position has Dinorah Diazwho confessed that his fear is such that he no longer even dares to brush his teeth with the water from the taps in his apartment.
“I am stressed, and even more so because I just battled cancer and I cannot be stressed. We cannot use the water here for bathing, brushing our teeth or cooking. My daughter had to buy food from me, because I live on social security and it’s not enough, ”said the resident of Jacob Riis. “I feel we are discriminated against because Latin and blackthis is something that must be said, because if it happened in the white neighborhoods, they would immediately do many tests and help them, because it is as if their life was worth more ”.
Reverend Kevin McCallfighting for the rights of social justice, joined the protest and criticized Mayor Adams for failing to take action against the laboratory that issued erroneous results, while demanding that tests be carried out or quality detectors installed. water in all NYCHA apartments so that tenants felt safe consuming the liquid.
“How the hell can we trust the mayor after this happened. We don’t understand why the lab that tested the water was from Chicago and not New York and why no action was taken against that position. We are calling for an investigation from the environmental protection agency and also from the FBI, “the reverend said.
“We don’t know who to believe. These tenants are afraid. We need transparency, because this problem cannot be solved by saying ‘it was a mistake’. Trust must be regained and they must stop treating these tenants as second-class citizens ”.
Not New York nor did the Municipality refer to the request and the obligation that in-depth water quality tests be carried out in all of them NYCHA Apartmentsbut Mayor Adams issued a statement insisting that the water is safe and consumption is not unsafe.
“The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reviewed the final contaminant test results and found that the water was within the limits of the EPA’s drinking water quality standards. We can confidently say that the water inside Riis houses it is and has been devoid of any detectable amount of arsenic since initial testing began in August and meets the standards, “the local president said, adding that he will return the money tenants have spent on water.
“Not New York nor will any other municipal agency test water through environmental monitoring and technologies anymore and the city intends to pursue all available legal options on behalf of Riis Houses residents and will look into how to reimburse residents for expenses incurred during the last week , Adams added. “We want to be sure of the quality of the water. Water is fine. That’s why we told NYCHA residents that it’s okay to drink and bathe in water. “
Dolores Rodrigueza resident of another NYCHA complex in the Bronx, she said she was concerned about what happened in Manhattan and also called for a thorough inspection of all public housing buildings.
“When I hear the mayor say that the water is safe in NYCHA, it scares me and I don’t know whether to drink the water or not, and those moments when the authorities said after the attack on the Twin Towers that it was safe to breathe because the air was clean, and then many workers started getting sick and dying, “said the tenant.”I just hope this is not such a case and that they take action to make sure we are not at risk; can be as clear as water “.
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