Q&A and FAQ regarding WTC response, Oct 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

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14) What does EPA recommend people do with things that can’t easily be cleaned, like carpets and drapes? We do know asbestos is tough to get out of porous surfaces, such as carpets and drapes; that is why we have recommended repeated cleaning. If an apartment was heavily impacted by dust or debris fi-om the WTC collapse, residents may want to replace porous items such as carpets and material furnishings. As part of our pilot study, we will be evaluating the effectiveness of removing asbestos as well as other compounds from porous surfaces.

15) What does EPA recommend people do with their air conditioner? EPA is working with the state and city Departments of Health on guidelines for cleaning individual air conditioning units. The task force is also evaluating recommendations to building owners for the proper cleaning of central (HVAC) air conditioning systems.

16) When will the pilot cleaning and background studies be completed? Studies take time. We think it will take between 18 and 24 months to complete the pilot cleaning and background studies. The study of indoor air is extremely complex. There are few indoor air standards already set. It is difficult to analyze for certain conditions indoors; there are not accepted sampling protocols. It will also take us time to get scientific support and comments on our studies. We are in the process of procuring the services of contractors who will do the cleanups, testing and the analysis of the samples. We will need to get access to residential spaces. We will need to conduct a comprehensive view of various studies and compare the results. That is why we are taking a dual approach - offering cleanups now and continuing to evaluate.

As we conduct the studies we will keep the public informed about any new information that is valuable in the short term. Any identified refinements to cleaning will be translated into recommendations, which will be widely distributed. In the meantime, we recommend continued wet wiping, wet moping and the use of HEPA vacuums.

17) Now that you are offering to pay for cleanups, will EPA or FEMA reimburse people who already had their apartments cleaned or tested? This program will not reimburse people for prior cleanup costs. FEMA programs provided some funding for cleanups under the agency’s smoke abatement and temporary relocation assistance programs. Cleanups in some apartments were covered by private insurance. For more information on funding issues, contact FEMA directly.

18) Will you clean businesses? Why should some businesses get free cleaning now? No. FEMA’s assistance generally supplements insurance, and commercial entities are not eligible for direct financial assistance. Low interest loans are available to small businesses. Commercial property owners should direct their questions to FEMA and the Small Business Administration.

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