HVAC cleanup proposal for residential units, Feb 2003

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

7) Why just test the air? Fortunately, scientific protocols are already in place for conducting air tests and evaluating the results. The test methods for accurately and consistently evaluating asbestos in dust are not in place. Scientists and technical experts are still debating them.

8) How many apartments are there in Lower Manhattan and will EPA have enough money to clean them nil - if asked? Based upon census data. New York City has informed us that they estimate 31,000 residents and approximately two residents per dwelling unit for Lower Manhattan. We are working with an estimate of 15,000 apartments. Working with FEMA, we believe we will be able to fimd cleanups for all, if necessary.

9) Will you use asbestos abatement contractors and will they wear "moon suits" and respirators to do the cleaning? For all cleanup activities, certified professional cleanup contractors will be used. For apartments that have already been cleaned, OSHA will not require workers to wear personal protective equipment. OSHA has determined that tyvek suits and respirators are not needed. This decision is based on monitoring data collected by cleanup workers during cleaning operations in buildings close to the WTC site. If individual circumstances warrant, OSHA may exercise its authority to increase the level of personal protective equipment required.

10) How long will it take the program to start? Many details of the program will be worked out over the next few weeks. We expect to have the hotline running by May 30, with cleaning to begin shortly after. Residents will be asked to make their requests for cleaning and testing through the hotline over a 90-day period following the announcement of the hotline number.

An extensive public outreach campaign, including public service announcements, community meetings and Web-based information, will be launched to inform the public about the cleaning and testing program. At this point, we do not know exactly how long it will take to complete the cleanups. The time fi-ame will be determined by the number of residents requesting cleaning and testing.

11) How will you clean the apartments in the unoccupied building you chose for your pilot study of cleaning methods? EPA will compare the effectiveness of cleaning methods ranging fi-om those not recommended (vacuuming with an ordinary vacuum) to recommended methods (wet wipes and wet mops along with different HEPA vacs with varying filters).

The Agency will do pre- and post-testing in order to determine which methods were the most effective. We may do repeat cleaning, if necessary, as recommended to Lower Manhattan

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