EPA press release on apartment testing plan, May 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

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EPA Agrees To Test, Clean Up Manhattan Homes That Are Potentially Contaminated hy WTC Fallout After stating for months that the cleanup of drastically. building interiors in lower Manhattan was the Under the plan, aimounced May 8, EPA, responsibility ofthe landlords and tenants. New York State, New York City, the Federal EPA has agreed to test and clean up apartments Emergency Management Agency and OSHA potentially contam ’ ..ated by dust from the are taking a collaborative approach that will collapse ofthe W' .id Trade ~ Cente.. includethe: Although ag jicy officials sure that scientific H Cleanups ofresidential units on request, data about an; immediate health risks from using certified contractors, with follow-up indoor air is reassuring, “people should not testing forasbestosintheindoorair. - -havete4tve-wiEh-tHK.ertainty-aboutfricir----- — futures.” for requesting households. “We understand the concerns ofLower ■ Establishment ofa hotline to take cleanup Manhattan residents and we know that they and testing requests. are looking to us for reassurance,” said Jane M. •Availability ofHEPA (High Efficiency Kenny, EPA Region 2 administrator. Particulate Air) filtervacuums. The plan covers residential units south of ■ Distribution ofhealth and cleanup Canal Street and the Manhattan Bridge information. approach, river to river—an estimated 15,000 H Professional cleanups ofremaining apartments in the vicinity ofGround Zero — unoccupied, uncleaned buildings. and was developed by the multi-agency Task Under the plan, FEMA will provide funds Force on IndoorAir in Lower Manhattan. to hire certified cleanup contractors for residents Environmentalists and tenants have been who wish to ha'" their homes professionally concerned that residents could be inhaling cleaned. EPA will conduct follow-up testing for asbestos or other contaminants in the dust. asbestos in the indoor air after the cleanups are Tenants have complained about building completed. Upon request, the agency will owners and residents being left to their own provide the option oftesting-only for residents devices in interpreting confusing and often who do not want their apartments cleaned. conflictingstandards ofenvironmental safety, New York State will continue to provide HEPA resulting in the quality ofthe environmental vacuums through FEMA to residents who wish cleanup in residential buildings varying

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