EPA/DEP communication regarding roof and facade cleaning, 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document i-oat r.uui/uus r~i80 froB-Haaitn Mpt. cudiic Aiiairs Ml <iao D2-08-DZ Of-OI

Pl DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Health OFFICE OF FUBUC AFFAIRS 125 WORTH STREET, ROOM 329 NEW YORK, N.Y. 10013 pi2)255-5’35/5236 FAX: €212)941-2156 nyc-eov/healih THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT of HEALTH THOMAS R. FRIEOEN. MO. MPK SANDRA MULLIN Commissieiier Atteeiait Commltsia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT; Sandra MuUin/Greg Butler Friday, Febraary 8,2002 (212) 295-5335/5336; (877) 640-1347 NYC DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PRESENTS FINDINGS FROM INDOOR AIR SAMPLING IN LOWER MANHATTAN

Analysis ofAir Samples Taken from Residential Buildings in Lower Mtrnhattan Indicates No Elevation ofAsbestos in Air. Low Levels ofAsbestos and Some Fibergbss Found in L>ust Samples. DOH Reminds Residents ofImportance of Cleaning to Reduce Dust As part of an ongoing effort to assess the environmental impact of the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster and to respond to public health concerns, the New York City Department of Health (DOH) 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.

The tests examined samples of both air and dust The air samples from inside the buildings showed no elevated levels of asbestos. The air sampling results for fibrous glass (fiberglass) are not yet available. The dust showed low levels of asbestos in some samples and the presence of fiberglass in other samples. The potential for exposure to these materials depends not only on their concentration in the dust but also on the amount of dust that is present Asbestos and fiberglass can pose a health risk if dust accumulates and particles become airborne. While these findings are not unexpected, they underscore the importance of proper cleaning to reduce dust.

DOH is sending letters to building owners and residents informing them of the test results; flyers are also being distributed in lower Manhattan. The letters and flyers emphasize the importance of following DOH’s cleaning recommendations to prevent dust from becoming airborne especially while work continues at the WTC site. In addition to distributing information to residents, DOH is holding community meetings in association with Manhattan Community Board No. 1 to directly address any remaining concerns. * . ! Residents are being advised to use a wet mop, damp cloth, or a high efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) vacuum to clean dust from hard surfaces, and HEPA vacuums to clean carpets, upholstery, and other items that cannot be cleaned by wet wiping. To prevent tire recirculation of dust, residents are advised not to sweep with “dry” brooms, or to use dusters or vacuums without approved HH*A filters. Since fiberglass can be irritating to the skin, rubber gloves can used to provide skin protection. Residents were also advised to avoid carrying dust into their buildings from outdoors (e.g., by taking off shoes).

New York City Health Commissioner Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH said, “Since the coU^se of the World Trade Center, an event that resulted in the release of large amounts of dust and other --More--

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