Chain of custody form for DEP environmental samples, 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

containers were transported off site for disposal, and replaced with empty containers. It was discovered that people were rummaging through the contents of the roU-off containers after personnel left the site for the day. To deter this activity, it was necessary to monitor the debris box at night. The staff of the cleaning contractor was utilized to provide security. Shift hours were adjusted to add two-hour increments of coverage by crew members until midnight. This eliminated the rummaging.

Elevator. The elevator was out of service from project commencement until late August. Therefore, it was necessary to manually carry individual items down the stairways of many floors for disposal in the roll-off container. Many unanticipated labor hours were dedicated to hand carrying the disposable items.

Hot Water. The building was without gas service; therefore, hot water was unavailable. Hot water was only used for the shampooing of carpets. Hot water was obtained from a local delicatessen and manually transported in five-gallon buckets as needed. Cold water was used to clean the remainder of the facility.

Electric Service. EPA contacted Consolidated Edison directly to install a shunt from the main trunk line to the building to provide electricity by the mobilization date.

Office Space. The location and the condition of the building did not allow for ofiBce space. Nor was there sufficient space proximal to the site to set up an office trailer. Therefore, office space to accommodate copying and administration was established in a hotel several blocks away. Because the building was without telephone service, in order to enable continuous communication, personnel carried cell phones at all times.

Spoiled Food. At project commencement, information obtained by others indicated that all foodstuffs in the building were removed shortly after September 11, 2001. However, a walk-in box in the Lemongrass Grill contained perishable food that had been overlooked. Large quantities of fish and shrimp were discovered that had been spoiling for nine months. The odor was noxious. Additionally a previously undiscovered chest freezer was filled with spoiled food including fish, shrimp, beef and miscellaneous food items that required removal. Approximately 200 pounds of spoiled food was collected, double bagged and disposed of utilizing a NYC Sanitation Truck. Water from melted ice and rotting food debris at the bottom of the freezer was removed and the area was sanitized. Similarly, the refrigerators in the apartments were to have been emptied of all solid contents by others shortly after the World Trade Center attack. However, residual foods remained. These spoils were also removed and disposed. The building owner subsequently disposed of all kitchen appliances, including the refrigerators.

Rodents. Dead rats and mice were prevalent in the basement areas, in the elevator shaft, and in some rental units. Rodent droppings were evident on floor surfaces throughout these areas. The remains of rodents were collected, bagged and deposited in the roll-off containers. Live rats were encountered in the Lemongrass Grill and the Food Exchange. The assistance of the building owner was sought to hire an exterminator.

Coordination Tenant Response. Residents did not consistently appear at the scheduled time for appointments

25

NYC-WTC_000145723