WTC Vicinity Building Survey Proposal Background Study Data

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

These background samples will consist of the following:

Three air samples collected from pumps running eight-hours at each apartment and common space;

Vacuum samples from carpets, drapes, and fabric furniture in living areas.

Wipe samples from horizontal surfaces of tables, counters, bare floors, and walls and ceilings.

Samples from individual air conditioner units or from the air conditioning unit for the entire building.

Sampling instruments will run for eight hours in selected common areas and residential units. EPA’s contractor will need to sit outside residential units or sit near the common areas being sampled. The contractor will check the pumps hourly to ensure the pumps are working and samples are being collected in an appropriate manner. EPA requests that the owner or owner’s representative be present during the sampling. Costs for the sampling effort are being paid by the federal government

EPA will analyze each of the samples collected for asbestos and lead. Wipe samples will also be analyzed for dioxins, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH’s), silica, calcite, gypsum, man-made fibers (such as ceramic dusts), and total dust. Analysis of the samples is expected to take 2 months to complete. Once the study is complete, the New York City Department of Health and EPA will distribute the individual sampling results. Results will be shared with the participants first and will be kept confidential. In addition, the results will only be shared as part of general data - specific units will not be identified..

To volunteer for the program, contact Kevin Matheis at 212-637-3122 or Carol Lynes at 212-637- 3585. For more information, contact Ben Barry at (212) 637-3671.

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