EPA-OSHA fact sheet on air and dust sampling, Sept 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

In the'News - Headlines ' wysf\vyg://8/http://www.epa,gov/epahome/epa-osha03.htn

samples are more accurate indicators of the potential exposure of the public to & potential contaminants. Levels of asbestos in the dust and debris vary. The rWS ssencies have found some levels above the one percent standard that indicates that I the material contains asbestos, but ambient air sampling has not generally revealed 1 concentrations of asbestos at levels that pose significant threats to public health.

EPA has been evaluating samples of air against an extremely stringent standard, the AHERA standard (70 structures per millimeter squared; established by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act). Levels of asbestos above the AHERA standard do not imply that there is an immediate health threat to the public. Asbestos exposure becomes a health concern when high concentrations of asbestos fibers are inhaled over a long period.

Metals: EPA collected air samples at 24 locations in the residential and business districts near the World Trade Center on September 16,23, and 27 and analyzed them for metals. No samples violated OSHA standards.

Workers in the Financial District: EPA and OSHA made extensive efforts to ensure the safety of workers in the Financial District as they returned to work on September 17. EPA and the U.S. Coast Guard helped corporate personnel from 42 firms enter financial district buildings to retrieve important information and check computer systems that were needed in order to open the markets on September 17. Buildings were examined for contaminants and to ensure adequate oxygen prior to entry. EPA also deployed its SUPERVAC trucks to the Financial District to clean the streets and sidewalks before employees returned to work.

OSHA took approximately 126 air and bulk samples in the Financial District from September 13 to September 21. Results showed levels well below OSHA standards. Therefore, OSHA ceased sampling in the Financial District on Sept. 21.

Residents and Workers Returning to Homes and Offices in Lower Manhattan: The vast majority of EPA and OSHA samples of air and dust analyzed for asbestos have been at levels that pose no significant risk to residents and workers returning to their homes or area businesses. However, people returning to buildings in the area may find some level of dust and debris. If dust or debris from the World Trade Center site has entered homes or offices, people should be sure to clean thoroughly and avoid inhaling dust while doing so. The New York City Department of Public Health has posted information and recommendations for people reentering buildings at www.ci.nvc,nv.us/html/doh/html/alerts/wtc3.html

Additional EPA/OSHA Information

EPA Newsroom I FAQs This page originally created:Tuesday, September 25, 2001 EPA Home I Privacy and Security Notice I Contact Us Last Updated; Wednesday, October 03, 2001 19:09:48 URL: http://wyKw.epa.gov/epahome/epa-osha03.htm

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