Our Commitment to Lung Health

On September 11, 2001, terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center, damaged the Pentagon, and killed thousands of civilians....

The disasters struck so close to our (ATS) offices in Manhattan and Washington, D.C.  Therefore, it would be normal to expect that the ATS offices would be closed indefinitely. 

Instead, the Society's president was informed that, having determined none of the staff members or their immediate families were directly affected by the event, the office would be closed for one day, after which the staff were asked to carry on with business as usual, with the option for additional time if anyone needed it...

Partly as a consequence of the formidable fiscal challenge created by the events of September 11, 2001, the ATS leadership and Board of Directors decided to relocate the ATS New York headquarters to less expensive office space. 

The logical choice was the Financial District, given that the real estate prices plummeted in that area, for obvious reasons.  Attractive and suitable space was identified about two blocks from Ground Zero at a highly favorable lease which would save the Society rental expenses for years to come.

A major concern was that for emotional reasons, questions about the air quality, and, in many cases, unfavorable commuting conditions, a significant number of ATS staff, including those in key positions, would resign if the office were to be relocated to the financial district. 

The staff was presented with the pros and cons of the move.  Air quality tests were conducted by some of ATS' own environmental and health safety pulmonary specialists.  The results were communicated directly to the staff by the specialists.  Ultimately, only one of a staff of 56 left the ATS. 

A powerful message was sent by the ATS with its relocation to the Financial District.  A scientific and educational society, whose specialty was lung health, was proactively moving into the area around Ground Zero.