WTC site damage assessment map, Sept 21, 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Since September 11, the U.S. EPA and other federal agencies have been taking samples of the air, dust, water, river sediments and drinking water from the World Trade Center site and surrounding areas in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island and New Jersey. The U.S. EPA and other agencies have analyzed these samples for the presence of pollutants that might pose a health risk to response workers and the public. The samples are evaluated against a variety of benchmarks, standards and guidelines established to protect public health under various conditions. The U.S. EPA considers the amount of time a person is exposed to a particular pollutant and where - a school, workplace or home - in creating these criteria. The criteria, standards and guidelines used to evaluate the contaminants potentially present in the vicinity of the WTC site include the following (U.S. EPA 2001 December 14 meeting):

• AHERA school re-entry standard for airborne asbestos (70 S/mm^) • OSHA/EPA definition of ACM for bulk material (> 1% asbestos) • NAAQS for ambient air sampling (lead, carbon monoxide, PM2.5) • OSWER residential guidelines for dioxin, PCBs, and lead in dust/bulk material • OSHA PELS (TWA) for air samples taken on the debris pile (worker exposure) • Federal Ambient Marine Water Quality Criteria and historical Hudson River data • Federal Maximum Contaminant Level (MCLs) for drinking water samples • NPDES permit limits

The monitoring program implemented by the U.S. EPA has indicated that concentrations of potential contaminants at the WTC site are within levels considered “safe” for area residents. On-site workers are mandated to follow contractor health and safety plan requirements to limit potential exposure to contaminants that may be elevated in the vicinity of excavation operations.

Environmental Impacts

For the proposed action alternatives, the construction of new facilities, installation of utilities and the demolition of the existing facilities may result in the generation of hazardous waste. The storage, handling and disposal of hazardous materials and wastes are regulated to eliminate or minimize public exposure and environmental impacts. Potential statutes and regulations applicable include the following:

• Resource Conserva*^’ .1. .^.id Recovery Act (hazardous waste management and disposal) • Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (Title Hi-Toxic Release Inventory Notification) • New York City Fire Code

Wastes typically generated during construction include lumber, concrete, metal, glass, plastics, solvents, and empty containers. During construction, the responsible party

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