September 11 public health conference agenda, Feb 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

*ulverized cement, gypsum, pulverized glass, heavy metals Lsbestos, soot, silica, VOC’s, fibrous glass, add mists, irganic products (PAHs) Kcute irritant effects, 9A1 - 9/14 depends on dose, Le^ is dose-related - caught in a debris doud? Was at or near Ground Zero; involved in activity at Ground Zero. The WTC effects • rhlnitis/smutis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, chemical bronchitis, reactive airway disease, ihortness of breath, RADS asthma, bronchitis. rhbse with preexisting conditions became worse; there also were psychological effects, eg, trauma, fear of personal harm, etc. What was Missing? Should have had an MD at the site ASAP to orient treating physicians; immediate capture of registry information for volu'ifeer workers; rapid mobilization of resources formedical evaluation/treatment; testing of indoor settings to establish a gradient of exposure with distance from “Ground Zero** to guide recommendations Patricia K. Clark, OSHA Chronology Please see OSHA’s Sampling Results Summary as of 2/11/02 129,000 respirators distributed by OSHA to date (3/14/02); sent OSHA people to Queens FDNY to do fitness checks. Took 19,500 individual samples between 9/13 - 9/21; asbestos and silica - Found no over exposures of woricers to either substance; 1122 air samples for asbestos — all well bdow the OSHA PEI. (Preferred Exposure Level); 5% of the metals were in excess of PEL; there was one heavy lead episode in only one place; VOCs in the plume; benzene more than 5-10 ft, then went to Oft Bonnie Bellow, Director, PublicAffairs, USEPA Region 2 Highest priority on 9/11 - Protection of Public Health, while working on other issues throughout die state and elsewhere. Began air, dost, drinking water, and local water testing; worked to safeguard workers at file site - dust, smoke, and other substances. There was an emotional response by workers; did self-evaluation; set up an alternate locafiou in Edisun, New Jerseys, for 2 weeks, working with the National Response Team; worked with file US Goastl^uard, as part of the operations end. Repeatedly luged workers fo^wcar respirators; gave out 20,000 reaps. And 30,000 cartridges. a— T £0'd 817:K 3002 81 JVW N YC- WTC_000144646