NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document
IU/lb/2ddl 2:4 4i 4// 4j H A tiAlltk PAGE ©3
Re: Asbestos & Lead Testing Page 2 of 3
For several weeks after the disaster, the Theater was used by members of the
rescue and recovery operation. There concern that these personnel may
is
have carried asbestos and lead contamination on their clothing when they
returned to the building. H. A. Bader Consultants scope of work was to
determine if there is a potential asbestos arid/or lead related hcalth concern in
the Theater. The asbestos testing in the Paint Shop was performed at the
request of the Painting Staff.
If asbestos fibers enter a building they may remain airborne or settle onto fixed
surfaces (primarily horizontal surfaces). Lead dust is heavy and settles very
quickly. H. A. Bader Consultants testing methods concentrated on both
airborne and surface testing for asbestos and only surface testing for lead.
The U.S. Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and
the City of New York Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) have
established allowable levels of lead dust in residential settings occupied by
children. The HUD/DEP clearance level is of 50 µg/ft2. These levels are
extremely conservative and apply to buildings where small children (less than
six years old) reside or frequently visit.
Three lead dust samples were taken in the Theater. All 3 samples were below
the level of detection. This testing indicates that lead contamination is not
present in the Theater.
Aybestoe Air Sampling
Three air samples were taken in the Theater and one sample in the Paint Shop.
The samples were analyzed by an accredited asbestos laboratory using
transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM analysis is very accurate for
finding even trace amounts of asbestos fibers present in the air.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a
protocol for determining whether school areas are safe for re-occupancy after
completion of asbestos abatement projects. This procedure is covered by EPA
40 CFR Part 763, Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools. The procedures
state that the average asbestos airborne fiber level in the abated work area
must be less than 70 asbestos structures per square millimeter (AS/mm2).
NYC-WTC 000106340
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