ATSDR/DHAC_ASTM

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

World Trade Center collapse, these results cannot determine the actual source of the materials present because these materials are common building components and can come from other sources in a busy urban area.

In lower Manhattan, asbestos was found in indoor dust in 15 of 83 (18%) samples from residential units and common areas at levels ranging from less than 1% (<1%) to 1.5%. Asbestos was detected in 6 of 14 (43%) outdoor samples at levels ranging from <1% to 3.4%. Indoor settled surface dust contained SVF in 40 of 83 (48%) locations ranging from 2% to 35% of the dust content. SVF was detected in 11 of 14 (79%) outdoor locations at levels ranging from 1% to 72%. No asbestos or SVF was detected in dust in the comparison areas above 59th Street.

The XRD analysis for crystalline minerals in settled surface dust is semiquantitative (estimated values, indicated by “J”). However, quartz, calcite, portlandite and gypsum appear to make up a higher percentage of dust in some buildings in lower Manhattan when compared to settled surface dust samples from buildings above 59th Street. Quartz was detected up to an estimated 31%J versus up to 2%J found in the comparison areas above 59th Street. Neither cristobalite nor tridymite was detected in any of the settled surface dust samples. Similarly gypsum was found at a maximum estimated concentration of 30%J in settled surface dust, higher than the 4%J estimated in the comparison areas above 59th Street. Calcite and portlandite had maximum concentrations of 21%J and 8%J respectively. At lower Manhattan locations sampled, quartz was detected in 81% of common areas and 53% of residences. Gypsum was seen in 88% of common areas and 79% of residences. Minerals were found in all lower Manhattan outdoor settled surface dust samples at estimated values ranging as high as 27%J quartz, 19%J calcite, 6%J portlandite, and 27%J gypsum. No visible settled outdoor dust was available in the comparison areas above 59th Street.

Several of the minerals detected in the settled surface dust samples, such as portlandite and calcite, can make the dust more alkaline, or raise the pH. Only two dust samples provided enough material for the determination of pH. The samples, collected from two outdoor locations in lower Manhattan, had pH levels of 8.6 and 9.8. On the pH scale, values less than 7 are considered acidic, a value of 7 is neutral, and values above 7 are alkaline or basic. Based on the results of the pH analyses, these dust samples are slightly alkaline. This is consistent with the detection of portlandite and calcite (alkaline minerals present in concrete) in the mineral analysis of the dust sample from the same location.

Conciusions

Based upon the analytical results of samples taken between November 4 through December 11,2001, and information collected during the sampling effort, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry make the following conclusions (not in order of importance).

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