EPA/NYC Indoor Air Approach Request to FEMA

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

2. Pilot Building Cleaning Effort to Confirm Cleaning Techniques

Objective: Since there has been some public concern over long term protectiveness and effectiveness of recommended clean up techniques, this project will be designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the techniques which have been recommended for apartment clean ups, that is, wet wiping, wet moping and use of HEPA filters. These j^X^methods It is anticipated that the results of this evaluation will reassure the public that the recommended methods are the most effective techniques available and prevent inhalation exposure to clean asbestos and other fibrous materials, as well as other potential indicator compounds. A further objective will be to determine if sampling for asbestos (or another potential contaminant of concern, e.g., fibrous glass) can serve as a marker for all other potential contaminants of concern. Program: EPA will clean one unoccupied building to confirm and test the techniques recommended for removing WTC-debris material from the indoor environment. Projected Cost: $5 million. This cost is higher than in the above efforts because it will involve sampling for several potential indicators of WTC related contamination before work is commenced, will involve use of several modifications of cleaning techniques with post clean up sampling and recleaning if necessary. Status of Requestfor FEMA mission assignment: Submitted as revised 4/11/02. Awaiting approval.

3. Direct Assistance to Residences and Residential Buildings Owners

[In lieu of accepting any “self-identified” request for cleaning, a request for cleaning needs to take into account what clean-up has already occurred. Also, the information generated by the Building and Park Inventory and the Targeted Sampling will enable characterization of areas south of Canal Street as not at risk for contamination requiring professional clean-up.]

Objective: To provide self identified citizens (building owners and residents, workers), who are concerned that their apartments and commercial buildings may have significant debris/dust from the WTC impacts remaining, a means of getting professional contractor clean up support.

Program: EPA, working with the support of OSHA and NYC, will e^hlish mechanisms to offer assistance to individuals that self4defttify-as-haviftg(YequestrequirF^aning concerns in lower Manhattan within a geographic area bouiTdcdTTrrtterSouth, east and west by the coastline and on the north by the south side of Canal Street.

EPA will solicit participation in this direct assistance program through public announcements. An EPA hotline will be established to receive requests from the public as soon as possible. This hotline will be coordinated with already existing hotlines in

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