NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document
t Re: Asbestos Testing
Page 3 of 4
Aabestos Air Sampling
20 air samples were taken and 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 proccdurc is
covered by EPA
40 CFR Part 763, Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools. The
procedures
state that the average asbestos airborne fiber in the abated work area
level
be less than 70 asbestos structures per square millimeter
(AS/mm').
must
The laboratory results from the testing on September 20, found no
asbestos
structures present in 17 of the samples. 3 samples had two or less
asbestos
structures prescrit arid the levels were well below the allowable 70
AS/mma.
Reference the attached laboratory results from EMSL Analytical.
The 3 areas with detectable asbestos fibers are heavily used by the
rescue and
recovery personnel. The asbestos fibers are probably carried into the
building
from their clothing. As a precaution, prior to the college re-opening,
these areas
should be thoroughly wet cleaned.
Asbestos Surface Sampling
The accredited asbestos laboratory analyzed 67 surface dust
samples using
polarized light microscopy (PLM). 36 Samples were from the air handling
unit
outdoor air damper sections and plenums. None of the samples were
identified
as asbestos containing materials (ACM). An:ACM is defined as a
material with
greater than one percent asbestos. Levels less than one percent are
not
regL.thttcd.
Six samples found to have trace (i.e., less than 1%) asbestos content.
were
Similar to the air samples, detectable asbestos fibers were limited to areas that
are heavily used by the rescue and recovery personnel. As a precaution, prior
to the college re-opening, these areas should be thoroughly wet
cleaned (HEPA
vacuum carpeting).
NYC-WTC 000106334
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