WTC asbestos wipe sampling and cancer risk analysis, December 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

This resident has almost al in 10 risk of mesothelioma. The person has a risk of nearly 4/1000 for developing asbestosis, and would probably have abnormal radiological findings of the chest.

Scenario 3 - New resident moves into partially cleaned up apartment near Ground Zero

A new resident moves into an apartment near Ground Zero that had been heavily contaminated because windows had been broken out. The former tenant had died in the collapse of the World Trade Center. The apartment had wall-to-wall carpeting, which was incompletely cleaned by using only an average suction capacity dry type HEPA vacuum. The carpeting had been new, so was not replaced for another 30 years. Other carpeting in common areas of the building also was not replaced on average of 30 years after the event. There was no special duct cleaning or other abatement measures. The resident was inside the apartment an average of 3/4 of her/his life. This included extra time on weekends, but some occasional times away in the evenings and on vacations. The resident was a smoker.

The asbestos air level is estimated to be 1 s/mL over the 30 year period. This assumes that the level was probably higher initially, near 2.56, the same as the level under passive conditions in the high exposure building in Table 2 before cleanup. After time, the level decreased somewhat, but never to background.

s/mL X time pertod (years) total dose (s-year/mL) 1 30 X (3/4) 22.5

The increased risk of both mesothelioma and lung cancer both is nearly 1 in 10. The person has a risk of 5/1000 for developing asbestosis, and would probably have abnormal radiological findings of the chest.

Scenario 4 - Laborer works as janitor deaning buildings in Lower Manhattan for 3 months

A laborer works as a janitor for 3 months cleaning up buildings and apartments in Lower Manhattan for 3 months. He sometimes wore a dust mask, but never a HEPA respirator. He also sleeps in buildings which have not been cleaned up during this period to save money. He is also a heavy smoker. His average exposure is 229 s/mL, which is midway between the passive conditions and the broom sweeping for the high exposure building in Table 2.

s/mL X time period (years) total dose (s-year/mL) 229 1/4 57

His increased risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer both is about 1 in 5. The person has a risk of over 50/1000 for developing asbestosis, and would probably have abnormal radiological findings of the chest.

Scenario 5 - Firefighter works rescue operation from September 11 until October 11

A firefighter is engaged in the rescue and recovery operation for one month, starting on September 11. He works 12 hours a day, sleeping in an adjacent hotel for 9 hours a night and

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