January 30, 2002
Mr. Alfonso E. Lenhardt
Senate Sergeant at Arms
Suite S-151
The Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20510-7200
Dear Mr. Lenhardt:
Thank you for your response to my inquiry regarding the cost of cleaning the Capitol complex after anthrax exposure. I look forward to receiving a full accounting of the cost from the Environmental Protection Agency. In the meantime, I have a few questions for you regarding the health of the staff members who have returned to the Hart Senate Office Building and other parts of the Capitol complex.
First, media reports have described Senate staff members complaining of ill health effects after re-entering the anthrax-cleansed Hart building. These health effects include watering eyes, sore throats and headaches. How many staff members have complained to any congressional entity -- including your office, the Capitol Health Unit, the Hart Health Unit, the Office of the Attending Physician and any other entity ? of ill health effects related to the Hart building clean-up? Please advise if any outside agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and the Environmental Protection Agency, also might have such complaint information. Please note this request is for simply the number of complaints, not for any information that would compromise the complainants' confidentiality. Please describe the steps you are taking to follow up on the complaints and check their validity.
Second, separate media reports have said you have established a task force to investigate the concerns of Senate staffers who have complained of headaches, nausea and a tingling sensation in their hands after handling irradiated mail. How many staff members have complained to any congressional entity ? including your office, the Capitol Health Unit, the Hart Health Unit, the Office of the Attending Physician and any other entity ? of ill health effects related to irradiated mail? Similar to my previous question, please advise if any outside agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and the Environmental Protection Agency, also might have such complaint information. Please note this request is for simply the number of complaints, not for any information that would compromise the complainants' confidentiality. Please describe the steps you are taking to follow up on the complaints and check their validity.
Capturing comprehensive, quantitative details regarding health concerns in this post-anthrax environment is important for several reasons. It will inform the debate over whether the Hart building is safe for staff and visitors and whether irradiated mail is harmful. It will educate the experts performing any future clean-up efforts. It will help to ensure the taxpayers that the clean-up projects they fund are worth the money.
I would be grateful for a response to this inquiry by the close of business Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2002. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Chuck Grassley
U.S. Senate