EPA interim final report on WTC background study, April 2003

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Mold was not generated during the WTC collapse or associated fires. However, mold may be present because of actions taken in response to the collapse. Substantial quantities of water were used to extinguish the fires and to wash buildings affected by the collapse. Some of that water entered buildings, causing indoor mold contamination. Additionally, the loss of electric power after the collapse affected the ability of buildings’ ventilation and plumbing systems to control indoor environments. This may have contributed to indoor mold contamination in some buildings.

The most common symptoms of exposure to mold are runny nose, eye irritation, cough, congestion, and aggravation of asthma. Although there is evidence documenting severe health effects of mold in humans, most of this evidence is derived from eating mold-contaminated foods, or occupational exposures in agricultural settings, where inhalation exposures were very high. There are no numeric standards to define “safe” levels of mold. In addition, it is very unlikely that the existence of mold in buildings around the WTC site can be distinguished from mold conditions existing prior to the attack. Therefore, the guidance established below is qualitative in nature and targeted towards detecting the presence of mold and removing it, rather than quantifying levels that pose health risks.

When inspecting a building, investigators should:

1. Look for evidence of visible mold or water damage throughout the apartment or office. Pay particular attention to moldy odors.

2. Ask the building management if water damage was noted as a result of the WTC attack or events thereafter. The investigator should be alert for situations where the loss of power to a building may have created a situation where either the ventilation or plumbing systems failed or leaked, creating water damage.

3. If mold contamination is encountered, it should be removed in accordance with New York City Department of Health mold removal guidelines:

http://www.nyc.gov/health/html/doh/htnil/epi/moldrptl.html

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