Chain of custody form for DEP environmental samples, 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

2.2 Personal Air Sampling, Personal Protective Equipment and Safety Risks

Personal air sampling was conducted for the workers that were participating in cleaning activities. Air sampling conformed to the site specific Air Surveillance Plan which is included in Section 8.0 of the Site Health and Safety Plan. The Site Health and Safety OfiBcer conducted daily air sampling of employee exposure to three contaminants; asbestos, alpha-quartz and lead. On only one occasion during the study was the permissible level for alpha-quartz exceeded. Comprehensive information relative to health and safety is provided in Attachment E, Health and Safety Plan, Changes and Issues.

Personal Protective Equipment The study was conducted using the following levels of protection:

Level D+: This level of protection requires employees to wear safety glasses, disposable coveralls (Tyvek®), disposable head coverings, disposable undergarments, disposable gloves, disposable boot covers, steel-toed boots, and hearing protection (if applicable).

Level C; This level of protection requires employees to supplement the above with an air purifying respirator (half face or full face PAPR) equipped with Pl00 cartridges.

Si^ety Risks At project onset, all units and common areas were inspected to assess building condition and to identify safety risks such as; gas, oil, and water leaks; perishable foods; rodent/insect infestations; damaged floors, walls, stairways, and elevators. All safety risks identified were eliminated prior to commencement of cleaning activities. The safety risks identified included electrical concerns, necessary building repairs, building access concerns, and rodent infestation. Additional details relative to safety risks are provided in Attachment E, Health and Safety Plan, Changes and Issues.

2.3 Equipment

EPA selected equipment similar or identical to the equipment observed in use by residents of lower Manhattan after the attack on the WTC, and tested use of this equipment in performing the cleaning of residential apartments at the project site. A commercially produced vacuum manufactured by Nilfisk™ Advance Vacuum Systems was selected to provide industrial strength vacuuming technology, because many management companies who cleaned residential and commercial spaces in lower Manhattan purchased Nilfisk™ equipment. Furthermore, confidence in the strength of the equipment had been evidenced in that it had been used by companies to clean federal buildings of anthrax prior to the study.

In the aftermath of the WTC attack, vacuums were made available to the general public by the American Red Cross, and a vacuum reimbursement program was established by New York State in conjunction with FEMA. The vacuums made available to the public included vacuums with HEPA-filtration made by Eureka®, Hoover® and Mastercraft®. Shop vacuums produced under the Ridgid® brand and Craftsman® brand were also observed in use by residents of lower Manhattan in the wake of the attack. High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are capable of trapping and retaining at least 99.97 percent of all mono-dispersed particles of 0.3 micrometers in 13

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