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.

Also 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. Fartides of 2,5 microns - all below the level of concern. Had mobile lab. At Ground Zero - worked dosely with DOH and othr government agencies.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY - Per Bonnie agencies must address; developing a Task Force to evaluate what additional t /sting has to be done, what additional advice to residents has to be given.

Dr. Susan KKtzman 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, ha:1 a mobile van; said he saw about 3004- laborers.; high rate of respiratory ailir.ents from irritants > concrete dust, fibrous glass.

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, incrcsed 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 Hl. The short term response of 9/11 focused on direct victims - there were 23 mobile crisis teams in the City - has die Lifenet Hotline and OEM of the Mayor’s office Stressed the need for protracted long term response - there’s concern about ongoing terrorist attacks; there’s a larger, broader constituency.

She talked about the Family Assistance Center and the FEMA-funded Crisis Counseling Program - outreach, public education, BUT no fundin*' 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 aufiiority, 2) dearly defined roles, 3) adequate administrative capacity and fimdiag, 4) need to establish community systems, need to integrate mental health with other goals of government agencies.

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