Memo on retention of WTC clean-up records, September 2003

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

• THE CITY OF NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE Michael R. Bloomberg Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. mayor Commissioner

nyc.gov/health'

January 29, 2003

Deputy Chancellor Kathleen Grimm New York City Department of Education The Tweed Courthouse New York, NY 10007

Dear Deputy Chancellor Grimm:

This letter was prepared at your request for the purpose of FEMA reimbursement. The letter addresses the issue of carpeting removal at public schools in Lower Manhattan that were affected by the collapse of the World Trade Center, that is, PSIS 89, PS 150, PS 234, Stuyvesant High School, the High School of Economics and Finance and the High School of Leadership and t'ublic Service.

There have been concerns raised about possible contamination of carpeting at these schools resulting from the collapse of the World Trade Center. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has worked collaboratively with the Department of Education, and its independent environmental consulting firm, on environmental sampling and clean-up efforts at these schools. The Department of Health strongly recommended that the Department of Education remove floor carpeting as part of their continued clean-up efforts.

The Department of Health reviewed the "Carpet Removal Protocol" as provided by the Department of Education. The Department of Health concluded that removal performed in accordance with these protocols would be sufficiently protective of the health of students, teachers, and staff within the schools such that the removal process itself would not create a risk to health.

Sincerely,

Kelly R. McKinney P.E. Associate Commissioner

NYC-WTC 000144551