NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document
Re: Asbestos Testing
Page 2 of 3
The 199 Chambers Street complex is currently being used to
house various
members of the rescue and recovery operation. There is concern
that these
personnel are carrying asbestos and lead contamination on their
they return to the building. clothing when
H. A. Bader Consultants test results from September 20,
2001, and report
dated September 21. determined there was no
significant evidence of a
potential asbestos and/or lead related health concern in
the 199 Chambers
Street Complex. H. A. Bader Consultants scope of work
on September 28,
2001, was to repeat the testing in select areas to
insure that asbestos and lead
levels remain non
The college is scheduled to reopen October 1,
-problematic.
2001.
Lead est1.ng
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.
extremely conservative and apply to buildings These levels are
where small children (less than
six years old) reside or frequently visit.
17 lead dust samples were taken on
September 28, 2001. 15 samples were
below the level of detection. Two samples
from the gymnasium bleachers had
detectable lead levels (13 and 20 µg/ft2), however
they were within the
HUD/DEP guideline levels. Reference the
attached laboratory results from
EMSL Analytical. The bleachers are used by
the rescue and recovery personnel
and there is a significant amount of dust
and debris present. This testing
indicates that significant lead contamination
is not present in the building.
Asbestos Air Sampling
13 air samples were taken and analyzed by an
accredited asbestos Iaboratory
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
NYC-WTC 000106337
OCR can misread numbers and units. Confirm readings against the page image before using them.