HVAC cleanup proposal for residential units, Feb 2003

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

EPA Response to 9-11: Frequently Asked Questions http://www.epa.gov/wtc/questions/index.html

provide the last four digits of your social security number to access your individual information.

If 1 opt for testing without cleaning, can I change my mind later and ask to have my residence cleaned? It depends on the results of the testing. If our testing finds asbestos-in-air levels in your residence to be above our health standard, we will offer to clean your home. However, if you ask for testing without cleaning, and the test results for asbestos-in-air find the levels to be below our health standard, you may not then ask to have your residence cleaned anyway.

Will you clean personal belongings, window treatments, carpets or furniture? We will clean all hard surfaces including walls, floors and shelves; we will HEPA-filter vacuum rugs, carpets and wall-to-wall carpeting; curtains, drapes and other window treatments, and upholstered furnishings. In dealing with occupied residential spaces that have already been cleaned, we expect that most personal belongings will have already been cleaned.

How long will it take to clean the average apartment? It will vary, depending on the size and content of the residence. Most residences will be cleaned in two days or less. Testing for asbestos in air will take one additional day.

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Will EPA clean residences outside of lower Manhattan? This program is currently limited to lower Manhattan residences because data collected to date indicates that the significant impacts from debris, dust and fires occurred in this area. We are continuing to analyze data, including that collected through the dust cleanup program, and will reevaluate as necessary.

How many residences are there in Lower Manhattan and will EPA have enough money to clean them all if asked? Based upon census data. New York City estimates there are 31,000 homes in lower Manhattan. Working with FEMA, we believe we will be able to fund cleanups for all, if necessary.

How can I best keep informed about this program? New information is constantly being added to this Web site. We also encourage you to sign up for EPA's WTC Listserv (link to auto-signup feature), which will send information and updates by email to all subscribers.

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Health & Safety Does the fact that EPA is willing to clean residences mean that you are not confident in the cleaning recommendations (to use wet wipes/mops and HEPA vacuums) made last fall? We remain confident that the cleanup methods recommended for residences with minimal dust -- wet wiping, wet mopping and using HEPA filter vacuums - are effective. We are offering professional testing and cleanup services to provide an added level of assurance that residences have been cleaned properly.

The Agency recommends that all residential spaces that have been cleaned, especially those with significant impacts from dust or debris from the collapse, repeat cleaning using wet mops, wet wipes and HEPA vacuums. Porous surfaces.

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