September 11 public health conference agenda, Feb 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Did outdoor dust and air sampling for asbestos (6500 samples) only 17 exceeded the AHERA standard.

Abo took benzene samples at Ground Zero and the perimeter. At the probe (where workers were breathing in) found intermittent higher levels at the plume; lower at the perimeter. Particles of 2.5 microns - all below the level of couceiu. Had mobile lab. At Ground Zero - worked closely with DOH and othr government agencies. INDOOR AIR QUALITY - Per Bonnie agencies must address ; developing a Task Force to evaluate what additional testing has to be done, what additional advice to residents has to be gtyen.

Dr. Susan Kfitzman took questions from the audience: There was concern about the day laborers - no respirators, no health insurance; need a program to address them. Dr. Markowitz (Queens College, had a mobile van; said he saw about 300+ laborers.; high rate of respiratory ailments from irritants - concrete dust, fibrous g^ss.

Afternoon Session; Lynn Roberts, Hunter College, moderator

Stressed the social and mental distress of the population at Ground Zero after 9/11; heard many personal accounts, but no systematic research. Talked about mental disorders, mental distre^ social division - said "Bio-Terrorism’’ caused social divisions. The public health emphasis has to also include mental health in the picture. There has to be cohesive social action, incresed public health leadership ... must put an infrastructure in place.

Jane Plapinger, Director, Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services, NYCDOH-

Oversees the largest network of community-based services - the persistently mentally ilk The short term response of 9/11 focused on direct victims - there were 23 mobile crisis teams in the City - has die Lifcnet Hotline and OEM of the Mayor’s office Stressed Ae need for protracted long term response - there’s concern about ongoing terrorist attacks; there’s a larger, broader constituency.

She talked about tiie Family Assistance Center and the FEMA-funded Crisis Counseling Program > outreach, public education, BUT no funding for treatment. ((She mentioned that there was no evaluation of the Oklahoma Program).

Ms. Plapinger stressed the following: a more comprehensive plan is needed -1) clearly defined authority, 2) dearly defined roles, 3) adequate administrative capacity and funding, 4) need to establish community systems, need to integrate mental health with other goals of government agencies.

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