DEP activities memo regarding WTC cleanup coordination, undated

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

From the onset ofthis incident, DERTA worked in conjunction with the EPA providing direction to contractors as to the cleanup priorities for the public areas. DERTA also hired and managed DEP contractors to perform cleanup of public areas. Performing oversite of contractors and the cleanup operations was a 24 hour process. Meticulous knowledge of the vicinity, contamination zones, crew and equipment availability and coordination with disposal sites were required. This task continued for several weeks until proper cleanup and subsequent clearance air monitoring results were achieved. Some of die areas required to be cleaned included streets, sidewalks, Battery Park Promenade, building facades, vehicles, parks, and children’s playgrounds.

DEP DERTA is continuing the management of private contractors to perform on going air monitoring and analysis. DERTA will collect and assess the data and prepare a written report as it pertains to the environmental intact ofthe site as it pertains to the emergent^ re^onse activities and subsequent non-emergency aspects ofthe incident.

In addition to performing assessments in public areas in lower Manhattan, DERTA implemented die analytical services of Pedneault Laboratories to perform air monitoring in the surrounding five boroughs. Pedneault was instructed by DERTA to perform air monitoring for add gases, metals, and VOC’s.

DEP DERTA also performed entries into ground zero and beneath the World Trade Center. These confined space entries were requested by FDNY and NYPD ESU. DERTA performed monitoring and assessing the conditions of the atmosphere at sub­ surface levels. Photoionizable contaminants, C12, ammonia and hydrogen cyanide and a Treon were surveyed. In addition, the atmosphere was surveyed for explosive contaminants, carbon monoxide, H2S and oxygen level Water samples were taken to analyze for salinity, freon22 and PCB’s.

NYC-WTC_000148719