DOH/DEP asbestos fact sheet draft, 105 Duane Street

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

New York Environmental Law and Justice Project- Tribeca Tower (105 Duane Street) Page 1 of 2

NEW YORK ENVIRONMENTAL LAW & JUSTICE PROJECT http://www.NYenviroLA W.org A non-profit public interest organization which counsels and represents groups and individual concerns with the preservation and improvement of community environmental conditions. It is possible for citizens to protect themselves and their communities from dangerous and burdensome environmental hazards through knowledge and effective -- affordable legal avenues. We believe that environmental justice should be available to all people regardless of race, gender or age. By utilizing our "commando" law techniques we are able to effectively promote the interests of the environmental community.

We, after much scientific study and sampling into the multitude of carcinogens and toxics released into the environmental due to the WTC disaster, require that the surrounding area be designated a EPA SUPERFUND Site. We feel that this is necessary in light of the fact that each of these chemicals are life threatening by themselves but since there are such large quantities and so many of them combined into a superheated and dispersed over a large densely metropolitan area in an extremely fine particulate form probably has accentuated its toxicity and possibility for a synergistic effect. The lack of data or research into this type of exposure simply does not exist due to the fact that such circumstances have never been encountered. By declaring the area to be an EPA SUPERFUND site, the onus to prove safety will be established and appropriate methods and procedures will be Federally Enforced. The facts are plain and simple - extremely hazardous materials became airborne when the World Trade Center disintegrated and thus could pose a MOST SERIOUS health threat to people who live and work in the downtown area, not just Ground Zero. These particles and gasses obey the laws of physics and thus spread around the downtown area and were not limited to the immediate vicinity of the WTC area. Public trust in government has diminished as workers and residents have become sick and required medical attention. It is time that the various governmental agencies at the federal, state, and local level do whatever is necessary to protect the public health and safety and thereby regain the public's trust.

Letter from several residents of Tribeca Tower

We are fighting on several ground regarding the situation at Tribeca Tower (105 Duane St). The management we feel deliberately asked for tests (Ambient Air Tests) several weeks after the disaster had occurred. Instead of using bulk-wipe test method which ATC was using for the city, they used Ambient Air Tests, we think that management had picked Ambient Air Testing as a testing method since it would produce false negative results. After many residents have become ill and suffered, the Residents of 105 Duane Street felt it was time to just do their independent test. The management had proceeded to engage in a cleanup which they considered appropriate for a building not affected with asbestos. Using only the initial EPA web-site, they incorrectly stated that there was no significant asbestos fibers found in the general area or building- which indicates the bias of the landlord. Some of the filters at City Hall the EPA that they had become totally clogged and therefore declared N/A. However the management claimed they could be trusted to maintain tenants safety. Residents were amazed to see that instead a professional environmental cleanup crew that had been promised, a work crew equipped with Windex in hand was seen cleaning the building who claimed to be working for "Verizon" (?!?). Then management removed hallway vent grilles without ever testing the ventilation system for asbestos (the ventilation

http:I/nyenvirolaw.org/105Duane/Tribeca-Tower.index.htm 12/13/01 NYC-WTC-000125927