Fax cover sheet for WTC-related correspondence, July 7, 2003

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

PEP legal affairs Fax:17185956543 Jul 7 2003 9:09 P.06

09-17-01 NYCDOH issued a press release that recommended that individuals reentering their residences and places of work remove dust by using a wet rag or wet mop, and vacuum with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filtration vacuum. If a HEPA vacuum was not available, the press release recommended using HEPA bags or dust allergen bags with a regular vacuum cleaner. The procedures In this press release were referred to multiple times bv EPA officials tn press releases and Included in eluded in the EPA website minq the World Trade Center attacks: (see Appendix N for a copy of the press release). 10-25-01 NYCDEP described benchmarks and guidelines used to evaluate environmental conditions In a letter to Lower Manhattan residents dated October 25. In regard to cleaning indoor spaces the letter stated: “If more than 1 percent asbestos Was found and testing and cleaning was necessary, It had to be performed by certified personnel." In addition, the statement indicated landlords should not reopen any building until a competent professional had properly Inspected their building. The City’s Asbestos Abatement Program requires that building owners file a written notification with the NYCDEP for asbestos abatement projects that do riot require plan or permit approval from the Cit/s Buildings Department. NYCDEP officials told us this notification applied to buildings owners who found more than 1 percent asbestos in the dust In their buildings (seo Appendix O for a copy of the Instructions).

NYCDEP officials told us that there is no regulatory or statutory authority to thev-did riot conduct a certification program to determine the level of compliance with their instractions regarding the testing and cleaning of asbestos inside buildings. This is a purely voluntary program. In January and February 2(X)2. NYCDEP contacted building 2]55iE5^ bv express mail and asked them to file This was followed up by a second mailing to building j who did not d. and bv visits, but not inspections, by inspectors to building owners, who had not responded. However^ tThe only authority to conduct inspections of buildings is if a complaint is made, or if the building owner I that a bulk samnie was found containing more than 1% asbestos. NYCDEP received over 300 complaints with respect to asbeiass inside buildings and conducted inspections in cases where inspections were warranted, c f complaint. In conducting over 309the$e inspections. NYCDEP found o_ alt&ilg vherea bulk sample exceeded 1% asbestos. There were 37 instances, pursu Asbestos . QB5W iWyji-ni am. where building owners reported bulk sample levels of 1% or more

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