What GAO Recommends

GAO recommends that EPA develop an asbestos air-monitoring plan for New Orleans, improve its communications on environmental risks for future disasters, and take steps to address several challenges EPA has faced.

EPA agreed with all but one recommendation, commenting that other agencies should address the challenge of obtaining timely funding for the removal of hazardous materials from federal lands after disasters.

GAO modified its recommendation to include additional relevant agencies with which EPA should work to address the problem GAO identified.