Screening Levels Used by EPA
to Assess Outdoor Air Quality
Pollutant Source
Asbestos 70 s/m2 AHERA clearance level to re-enter school after asbestos
(Ambient Air) abatement. Represents minimum detection limit of method in use
at time standard set.
Asbestos 1 % asbestos The Asbestos NESHAP (40 CFR Part 61) level at which a material
(Bulk Dust) is considered asbestos-containing and subject to NESHAP removal
regulations.
Benzene 0.02 ppm [1] Califomia-EPA toxicity studies.
■21 ppm [3] Region 2 [2]
PCBs .73ug/m3 [1] Region 2 [2]
9 ug/m3 [3] Region 2 [2]
Chromium .6 ug/m3 [3] Region 2 [2]. Based on risk for Chromium Hexavalent (the most
toxic form of Chromium).
Cadmium .2 ug/m3 [1] Califomia-EPA toxicity studies
3 ug/m3 [3] Region 2 [2]
Manganese .5 ug/m3 [1] Region 2 [2]
40 ug/m3 Air Quality Index. Represents caution level for sensitive
Particulate populations for 24-hour average exposure.
Matter 2.5
65 ug/m3 National Ambient Air Quality Standard
(24 hr avg)
Particulate 150 ug/m3 Air Quality Index and National Ambient Air Quality Standard
Matter 10
Lead 1.5 ug/m3 National Ambient Air Quality Standard
(3 mo avg)
.1 ug/m3 Default value in EPA’s Integrated Exposure Uptake/ Bio-kinetic
Model for Lead in Children.
PAHs 6ug/m3 [3] Region 2 developed from EPA’s “Hazard Evaluation Handbook:
A Guide to Removal Actions,” and EPA National Center for
Environmental Assessment provisional inhalation Slope Factor for
Benzo(a)pyrene.
Dioxin .162ng/m3 [3] Region 2 [2]
Sulfur Dioxide .14 ppm National Ambient Air Quality Standard
(24 hr avg)
Acetone 1.5 ppm [1] Region 2 [2]
Benzaldehyde 860 ppm Not identified
1,3 Butadiene .01 ppm [1] [3] Region 2 developed using EPA’s “Hazard Evaluation Handbook:
A Guide to Removal Actions,’ and proposed reference
concentration.
79 Report No. 2003-P-00012
NYC-WTC_000145434
OCR can misread numbers and units. Confirm readings against the page image before using them.
NYC-WTC_000145434Source: NYC Law Department, mirrored locally
Joint announcement of a comprehensive plan by the EPA and city partners to address indoor air quality concerns in residential units south of Canal Street.
EPA memorandum on wipe sampling methods for asbestos in Lower Manhattan buildings, resuspension projections, and cancer risk estimates from WTC dust exposure.