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

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

DEP LEGAL AFFAIRS Fax:17185956543 Jul 7 2003 9:10 P.08

SURVEY FOUND RESIDENTS WANTED MORE AIR QUALITY INFORMATION AND DID NOT USE RECOMMENDED CLEANING PROCEDURES From October 25 through November 1, 2001, NYCDOH conducted a door-to-door survey of resident in Lower Manhattan’s Battery Park City, Southbridge Towers, arid Independence Haza. AU of these neighborhoods were in close proximity to the WTC towers. A representative sample of apartments from each of these three areas was selected and a total of 414 interviews were conducted. Despite -feo enotmous-amount oj^pabHcity and infdnHatieft aad-ettempts-by-the City and EPA-te-w of residcnces-TTtiie survey reached two conclusions related to air quality: a. Residents of Lower Manhattan were worried about their health and safety. There was a tremendous concern about the air quality and its potential effects on health. The high proportion of the population experiencing symptoms likely to be related to respiratory irritants contributed to this concern. b. The majority of households had not been cleaned to recommendations, possibly increasing the exposure to respiratory irritants. Specifically, in regard to air quality information, the report noted that: 77ie topics Off most interest to ^is population related to air quality, its safety and its effect on the physical health of.both adults and children (70% said they wanted more information about air ’ quality). There is a need for more information regarding the potential risks from exposure to the dust and debris that continues to be emitted from the WTC site. Related to this topic, 35% of the re^ondents reported that they needed more information regarding cleaning. « The report noted that only 40 percent of tide residents reported cleaning their homes according to the recommended methods of wet moping hard surfaces and using HEPA vacuums on carpeting. This occurred despite the enormous amount of publicity and information concerning air, quality ’ provided to residents bv the media, and Citv, State and Federal agencies and attempts by the City and EPA to widely disseminate information concgming indoor cleaning of residences The study • did not report whether residents wore air purifying respirators whan cleaning their apartments^ » 'Ji** 4 _ 4. * w . xtw a. f .. _ ■

* The issue of whether residents should wear respiratory protection when cleaning their attended bv New Yorkl City officials. EPA apartments was discussed at various meetings 31031 officials and officials from Ae NlOSHNatiopal Institute for Oeeupatjonol and Safety" Hooltbi- At BO time Both prior to providing guidance to residents and gg. while the cleaning process was in progress did anv-efiicial or expertTsaggest that reaidents sh^d the consensus^.with. Qfi opposition, was that respiratory protection was not warranted during these cleaning events.take the preeaution-of wearing rospiratory protectmr However, in preparing this report, expafs contacted bv the EPA now believe that Ais precaution should have been recommended.

NYC-WTC_000146058