Draft FEMA letter coordination, Ground Zero schools, Jan 2003

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Page 2 of2

Dear Deputy Chancellor Grimm:

This letter was prepared at your request [per FEMA reimbursement regulations. The letter] addresses the issue of carpeting removal at public schools in Lower Manhattan that were affected by the collapse of the World Trade Center, that is, PS/IS 89, PS 150, PS 234, Stuyvesant High School, the High School of Economics and Finance and the High School of Leadership and Public Service.

There have been concerns raised about possible contamination of carpeting at these schools resulting from the collapse of the World Trade Center. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has worked collaboratively with the Department of Education, and its independent environmental consulting firm, on environmental sampling and clean-up efforts at these schools. The Department of Health strongly recommended that the Department of Education remove floor carpeting as part of their continued clean-up efforts.

The Department of Health reviewed the "Carpet Removal Protocol" as provided by the Department of Education. The Department of Health concluded that removal performed in accordance with these protocols would be sufficiently protective of the health of students, teachers, and staff within the schools such that the removal process itself would not create a risk to health.

Sincerely,

Kelly R. McKinney P.E. Associate Commissioner

1/28/2003

NYC-WTC_000147526