EPA news release on WTC monitoring data, 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

In the News - Headlines wysiwyg://3/http://www.epa.gov/epahome/data_sunimary.htn

environmental monitoring data that has been collected and analyzed. Rescue and recovery crews working on the Trade Center site should take steps to protect themselves from potential exposure to contaminants by using respirators and washing stations as recommended by EPA and OSHA.

In total, EPA and OSHA have taken 835 ambient air samples in the New York City metropolitan area. EPA is currently collecting data from 16 fixed air monitors at ground zero and in the residential and business districts around the site, and both EPA and OSHA are using portable sampling equipment to collect data from a range of locations throughout the area.

Out of a total of 442 air samples EPA has taken at ground zero and in the ? immediate area, only 27 had levels of asbestos above the standard EPA uses to M determine if children can re-enter a school after asbestos has been removed - a stringent standard based upon assumptions of long-term exposure. OSHA has analyzed 67 air samples from the same area, and all were below the OSHA workplace standard for asbestos.

All fifty-four air samples from EPA's four monitors in New Jersey found no levels above EPA's standard. Another 162 samples were taken from EPA's monitors at the Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island, where debris from the World Trade Center is being taken; only two exceeded EPA's standard.

Of 177 bulk dust and debris samples collected by EPA and OSHA and analyzed for asbestos, 48 had levels over 1 percent, the level EPA and OSHA use to define asbestos-containing material. Although early samples from water runoff into the Hudson and East Rivers showed some elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxin, asbestos and metals, recent results find non-detectable levels of asbestos, and PCBs and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals below the level of concern.

O EPA and OSHA have also conducted sampling for the presence of metals (lead, B iron oxide, zinc oxide, copper and beryllium) at ground zero and in surrounding S areas. None of the levels of these metals have exceeded OSHA limits. OH 1 Although EPA has measured dioxin levels in and around the World Trade Center 8 site that were at or above EPA's level for taking action, the risk from dioxin is based B on long-term exposure. EPA and OSHA expect levels to diminish as soon as the S remaining fires on the site are extinguished.

a Of the 36 samples of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) taken around ground zero a to assist response workers in determining the appropriate level of respiratory § protection, several samples have been above the OSHA standard for workers. None a presented an immediate risk to workers, and the levels are expected to decline Ml H when the fires are out. sheets with more specific information for various parts of the New York City metropolitan area are available:

Environmental Information from Ground Zero at the World Trade Center Site Environmental Information from Lower Manhattan for Residents. Area Employees and Local Business Owners Other Environmental Issues Related to the Attack on the World Trade Center

I Resources for Information on the World Wide Web:

US Environmental Protection Agency US Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration New York Citv Department of Health Si s US Department of Health and Human Services New York State Emergency Management Office

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