EPA WTC Residential Testing Results webpage printout, September 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

http://www.epa.gov/wtc/factsheets/clean_test_results.htni

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WTC Residential Testing Results The work of cleaning and testing residences in lower Manhattan (south of Canal Street) is underway. Depending upon the assistance requested, EPA is arranging for licensed contractors to clean and/or test residential units (fact sheet) for asbestos in air. There is no charge for this service. Requests for assistance will be accepted until December 28, 2002 via the Web or by calling EPA's toll-free World Trade Center hotline (1-877-796-5471).

Asbestos in air test results for individual residences are provided only to residents of the affected unit. Aggregate test results are provided here. The locations of residences that have cleared or not cleared EPA's testing criteria will be identified by block.

EPA is committed to setting the most stringent standards that can be technically achieved when testing residences for asbestos in air. We have set an initial risk-based clearance level for asbestos of 0.0009 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc). This means that if 10,000 people are exposed to this level of asbestos for 30 years, there may be one more case of cancer than if the group had not been exposed at all.

Testing for asbestos (fact sheet) in air calls for moving a measured volume of air across a filter, then examining that filter under a microscope equipped with a grid and counting the number of asbestos fibers found. Problems arise when too many dust and fiber particles are captured by the filter. The filter becomes overloaded and technicians examining it under the microscope cannot separate out or identify individual fibers. Residences where this occurs are listed as "Not Determined." In a residence where only testing was conducted, EPA recommends that the home be cleaned and re-tested. In a residence where both cleaning and testing were done, EPA will attempt to identify potential sources and will then re-clean and re-test the home.

Test results below reflect analytical results received through October 28. During the initial stage of cleaning and testing, results will be updated on a weekly basis. Once data flow is established, this table will update automatically as test reults are entered.

Test Only lEMlsBwetaiiiwr:

Quadrant (Map) Total Requests Cleared Not Cleared Not Determined

A 266 23 1 1

B 265 28 0 2

C 253 34 3 2

lof2 11/7/2002 3:24 PM

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