Fax re EP hearing attendees and questions, Feb 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

discrepancies, w'hy is the EPA dissolving the function of the EPA National Ombudsman and transferring his function to the Inspector General’s Office?

15. Will a fiill, independent, and unfettered investigation by the EPA Ombudsman into tlie EPA’s response to the September 11th attacks be conducted, as requested by the Ground Zero Task Force?

Cleanup

1. Are there cleanup standards for residential buildings versus commercial buildings? If so, what are they?

2. Robert Avaltroni, Deputy Commissioner of DEP, testified that the agency has been working with the Real Estate Board of New York, realtors, and building owners with regard to proper clean up measures. What follow^ up has been done with building owners and managers on proper clean-up methods?

3. When friable asbestos exists in a building, describe what method is used for the cleanup, and why this method is used.

4. What is the typical cost, per room, for such a cleanup? How long does it take? What precautions do the workers use?

5. What kind of equipment is needed to do this particular kind of cleanup?

6. There have been reports of many residents returning to their apartments, where windows were left open and their belongings covered in asbestos-laden dust. To what extent was this the case - how many apartments were affected and how many residents were exposed in this way?

7. Why were residents allow'ed to return to apartments before cleaning was done by professionals?

8. What permits/ licenses or special credentials need to be authorized to do this cleanup?

9. .Are there federal laws regarding the cleanup or are you using City regulations? .And if so w ho is enforcing the cleanup laws on the site?

a. .According to testimony by David Newman, the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health believes it is inappropriate to use the OSH.A asbestos standard as a clearance standard and suggest that the .AHERA clearance standard be adopted for all residences and workplaces and public places. Do you agree?

b. Newman argued that while EP.A only classifies dust as asbestos-containing material (.ACM) if it contains more than 1% asbestos, the 1% cutoff was

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