NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document
• Use a HEPA vacuum, HEPA bags or dust allergen bags with
your regular vacuum.
• Keep window s closed when the air outdoors is dusty or smoky.
• Remove shoes before entering your house especially if you’ve
walked through dust or debris.
• Dusty clothing should be bagged and washed separately.
• Clean air-conditioner filter before turning it on.
Is it necessary to have my home or office testedfor asbestos?
First, homes or offices should be cleaned of dust and debris by following the
recommendations in the NYC DOH’s Advisory Factsheet mentioned above.
After cleaning, if a home owner or office building manager wants to have an
indoor space tested, the environmental services section of the Yellow Pages
can be a resource for certified environmental consultants. Consultants
should be asked if they are certified to conduct asbestos testing and whether
they do indoor air quality tests.
What arefine airborne particles (Respirable Particulate Matter)(PM) in
the air?
The explosion at the World Trade Center released fine airborne particles
(also called “respirable particulate matter”) into the air. Fine particulate
matter comes mostly fi-om combustion such as fires, exhaust from cars,
trucks, buses and other vehicles, power plants, boilers and other operations
that involve the burning of fuel. Particulate matter ranges in size from very
small to larger particles. The most commonly measured sizes are PM 2.5 and
PM . PM 2.5 refers to particles that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter.
These particles are extremely small and therefore more likely to be inhaled
deeper into the lungs. PM 10 refers to larger particles that are 10 microns or
less in diameter, and because of their larger size, do not travel as far into the
lungs. Some particulate matter continues to be released from the World
Trade Center site.
What are the health risksfromfine airborne particles (Particulate Matter)
Increased levels of fine airborne particles can cause eye, nose, throat and
lung irritation, which can trigger coughing and sneezing. Such exposures
may aggravate symptoms for persons with asthma or other underlying
respiratory conditions. Symptoms should diminish once exposure ceases.
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