DEP advisory to residents regarding WTC dust, Oct 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

V NYC DOH - Fact Sheet for Cleaning Homes Near the World Trade Center Page 2 of 3

• Avoid carrying dust into your building from outdoors. While work continues at the World Trade Center site, wet wipe/remove shoes and wet wipe pets' paws before re-entering your residence.

• Prevent settled dust from being reintroduced into the air by ensuring proper dust cleanup: 1. Use a wet/damp cloth or wet/damp mop to clean surfaces. 2. Use a high efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) vacuum to clean dust fi-om carpets, upholstery, and other materials that cannot be cleaned by wet wiping. 3. Floors or surfaces with a light visible dust accumulation can be HEPA vacuumed first then wet wiped/mopped using the procedure stated above. This step can help reduce the amount of dust stirred up. 4. Do not sweep with "dry" brooms, use dusters, or use vacuums without an approved HEPA filter. 5. Dispose ofmaterials properly: Place used items in plastic bags while wet (then dispose in trash. Wash water used for cleaning should be disposed of in the sink or toilet. Cloths and mops can be reused or disposed of after use. If reused, dirty mop heads and cleaning cloths should be washed separately from regular laimdry. Wash mops and cloths after each use. Handling dry dirty cloths/mops can reintroduce dust in the air.

• Protect yourself: Because dust can accumulate on your hands during cleaning, and since fiberglass can be irritating to the skin, eyes, nose and throat, you can take steps to reduce potential irritant effects while cleaning by: 1. Wearing rubber gloves or work gloves. 2. Washing your hands after cleaning, before eating, drinking, smoking, and using the bathroom. 3. Consider removing contact lenses prior to cleanup.

• Outdoor surfaces with small accumulations of dust may also be cleaned by HEPA vacuuming or wet wiping if the surface type allows. When cleaning outdoor areas such as terraces, be carefid to prevent dust and other materials from falling to the sidewalk or properties below.

• If you do not have a HEPA vacuum, ask your building management company if they have a HEPA vacuum you can use. HEPA vacuums are available at most retail stores. The American Red Cross may be able to provide financial assistance to purchase a HEPA vacuum to residents who live below Canal Street. For further information call the American Red Cross at 1-877-746-4987.

Health Information about Asbestos and Fiberglass

Exposure to asbestos is associated with asbestosis (scarring of the lungs) and cancer. The risk of developing these diseases depends on the level (dose) and the length of time exposed (duration). The likelihood of developing disease from limited, short-term, low-level exposure is low. There is no reliable test that can indicate whether an individual has had low-level exposures to asbestos. In die occupational setting, where the duration and intensity of asbestos exposure can be much greater, there is a higher risk to workers. Workers at the WTC site need to use the correct protective equipment to reduce exposure.

Exposure to some forms of fibrous glass, like fiberglass, can cause cough, and eye, nose, skin, and throat irritation. Long-term health effects associated with fibrous glass are not completely known and standards for measurement of fiberglass in environmental samples are not well established. Although fiberglass is classified as a possible carcinogen, recent studies of more than 30,000 industrial workers who worked with fiberglass found no conclusive evidence of an increased risk of cancer.

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