DEP comments on DOH press release, Feb 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

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FEB-07-2002 15:42 MAYOR’S OFC o-f ENU, COORD 212 999 7024 P.02/04

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Health ■ OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS 125 WORTH STREET. ROOM 329 NEW YORK. N.Y, 10013 (212)295-5335/5336 FAX: (212)941-2156 nyeeov/heallh THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT of HEALTH THOMAS R. FRIEDEN, MD. MPH SANDRA MULLIN Commissioner Assoctatf Commiutowr

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Sandra MuE.n/Greg Butler Thursday, February 7,2002 (212) 295-5335/5336; (877) 640-1347 NYC DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PRESENTS FINDINGS FROM INDOOR AIR SAMPLING IN LOWER MANHATTAN

Analysis ofAir Samples TaJ^ftfrom Residential Buildings in Lower Manhattan Ltdicates No Elevation ofAsbestos in Airj^w Levels ofAsbestos and Some Fiberglass Found in Dust Samples, DOH Reminds Residents ofImportance of Cleaning to Reduce Dust. As part of an ongoing effort to assess the environmental impac^of the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster and to respond to public health concerns, the New York City Department of Health (DOH)y\ in collaboration with the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR^ conducted indoor and outdoor tests of thirty residential buildings in lower Manhattan. u A arr 71^ a.r bvi -ki tho-aip-tocting oonduotod, no elevated levels of asbestos were found in Hit uii saiuyht) tolian fi o Jft-oddition to the air tegtm^^ust samples showed low levels of asbestos m some) \ samples and the presence of fiberglass in some other dust samples. Asbestos and fiberglass can if they become airborne. While these findings were not_unexDected, they underscore the importance of prope^leaning to minimize exposury£l Atrf . the test resultsjletters are ■ being oMrt to building owners and resident^^j fiyers are also being distributed in the neighborhood The letters and flyers emphasize the 4^'^ importance of following DOH’s cleaning recommendation to prevent dust fi'om becoming airborne (especially while work continues at the WTC site). In addition to tlw information bei»g.dist»b«ted-^— to residents, DOH h«w30t-up community meetings eojfcponaoregM|fe Community Board One to directlyaddre^^nj^ftmaining concerns.

Specifically,! residents arc being QdviiX)q to use”a wet mop, damp clot^or a high efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) vacuum to clean dust from hard surfaces, and IffiPA vacuums to clean ^qrpgtQ iiphnk^, and other items that cannot be cleaned by wet wiping. To prevent the recirculationoTBi^ residents are ndwedStor to sweep with “dry” brooms, or to use dusters or vacuums lliat"di!>-Bot have approved HEPA filters. Since fiberglass can be irritating to the skin, rubber gloves can be used to provide skin protection. xXesidents wore-alsQ-adviood to avoid carrying । dust into their buildings from outdoors (e.g., by New York City Health Commissioner Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH said, ’’Since the coll^'se'of' the World Trade Center, an event that resulted in the release of large amounts of dust ani^rbome /^mbstames, some residents of lower Manhattan have reported short-term health problems such

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