News article on toxin anxieties at Ground Zero, undated

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Possible pollutants near Ground Zero The Environmental Protection Agency says toxins in the outdoor air near the World Trade Center site since Sept, 11 gen­ erally have not exceeded federal standards. However, many residents say they believe that more testing needs to be done, particularly indoors. Some of the pollutants found in the area and possible health effects of long-term exposure; Substance Source Health risks The debate Asbestos Used in insulation and Long-term exposure can Of 5.559 EPA outdoor air samples taken. 31 were floor tile at the World cause lung cancer and above federal standards; only four of those were Trade Center other cancers. taken after Sept 30. But private tests found high levels inside buildings. Benzene Found in jet fuel, plastics Long-term exposure can Air samples away from Ground Zero have been and many other products, cause anemia and leuke­ below ERAS screening level. mia. Lead Found in old paint; also re- Long-term exposure can City health officials say levels are no higher than leased by burning debris, cause neurologicai dam­ normal in New York City dust. Of283 samples. age. five were above federal standard. PCBs Coolants and lubricants Lone-1•term exposure All samples tested below EPA levels that require used until the late 1970s mightccause cancer removal. in elearical equipment and fluorescent lights. PBDEs A flame retardant used in Long-term health effects EPA did not sample for this chemical because upholstery, plastics and unclean There is concern there is no benchmark. One form of PBDEs will computers. it may cause learning and be banned next year in Europe. memory loss in children. Mercury Used in thermostats, fluo- Can cause birth defects, EPA found levels to be either insignificant or un­ rescent lamps and com­ neurological damage. detectable. But eight Port Authority workers had puters; emined by most elevated levels in their blood; six returned to power plants. normal after being reassigned. • Dioxins Particles released during Long-term exposure Of230 samples, four were higher than federal burning of fuel and other might cause cancer and sundards. materiSs. reproductive problems. Sotrco: EPA; USA TODAY meirch

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