HVAC cleanup proposal for residential units, Feb 2003

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

The cleanups and testing that EPA and the city are now offering will help reduce any further exposures. In the meantime, EPA will continue to evaluate and confirm the effectiveness of cleanup techniques and whether there are compounds other than asbestos that may pose potential risk in the long term.

3) Will you clean apartments outside of Lower Manhattan? If not, why not? This program is currently limited to Lower Manhattan because the data indicates that the most significant impacts fi-om debris and dust and the fires occurred in this area. Those in other areas who feel that they were significantly affected should call the hotline and provide information. We will consider the requests in light of our ongoing analysis of the impacts.

4) When you clean apartments, will you clean personal belongings, drapes, carpets or furniture? We expect to clean residential spaces that have already been cleaned and where residents have returned to their living quarters. For the most part, personal belongings will have already been cleaned at least once. The c ''^tractors will evaluate the need to clean them on a case by case basis. We will clean all hard surfaces including walls, floors and shelves; carpets; drapes and upholstered furnishings.

5) What will you test for in the apartments you clean? Will you test for dioxin and lead and substances other than asbestos? If not, why not? We will test for asbestos in air. This is the substance of greatest concern, and air is the pathway of exposure. By cleaning the dust, other substances will also be removed.

Our scientists will continue their current work on a list of other substances associated with the WTC collapse. The list includes asbestos, fibrous glass, dioxin, lead and other substances. These scientists and technical experts are evaluating whether there is reason to be concerned about other compounds in indoor environments. If they conclude that substances other than asbestos might pose a significant risk, the scientists will determine if any refinement to cleanup guidance is needed. The list and any proposed benchmarks for substances on the list will be peer reviewed by independent scientists.

6) What standard and analytical technique is EPA using to determine if homes are clean? EPA will use the TEM method to analyze air samples for asbestos. The samples will be evaluated using the AHERA standard used to clear children for re-entry into school buildings after asbestos work is performed. We will compare the results to an extremely protective health­ based benchmark for a 30-year exposure to asbestos.

The tests will be conducted using a fan-agitated air sampling system. The use of aggressive sampling, which requires heavy agitation using leaf blowers, can be extremely disruptive in occupied apartments. Aggressive testing will be employed if conditions warrant or if residents request this approach.

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