OSHA Crane Inspection Report and Analysis Oct 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

aroimd the perimeter are lower than those found directly over the pile. To date, only one sample taken on the rubble pile showed dioxin levels which exceeded background levels. Dioxins are considered collectively as suspect human carcinogens. OSHA does not have a PEL for dioxins. Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons OSHA has taken 110 samples (excluding blanks). The majority of the samples have not shown the presence of benzo(a)pyrene and/or one or more of five additional fused polycyclic hydrocarbons: anthracene, acridine, pyrene, chrysene and phenanthrene. Sample results to date have identified eight samples which reached or exceeded OSHA’s coal tar pitch volatile PEL of 0.2mg/m’. These personal samples were taken on the pile on iron workers and grappler operators. OSHA continues to recommend the use of respiratory protection when working in the debris field. Freon R-22, Hydrogen Fluoride & Phosgene: OSHA has taken a total of208 samples for Freon R-22 (chlorodiflouromethane), hydrogen fluoride, and phosgene. Only one Freon sample resulted in a detectable level of 6.4 ppm during the transfer of Freon from the auxiliary chiller, and all other samples were none-detected. OSHA does not have an exposure limit for Freon R-22. (The NIOSH REL for Freon is lOOOppm..) Sampling for the decomposition products of Freon R-22, hydrofluoric acid (HF) and phosgene showed no detectable levels.

Inorganic Acids OSHA has taken approximately 151 samples for inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, phosphoric, and sulfuric acids. Three samples for sulfuric acid were found to exceed OSHA’s permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 1 mg/m’. Workers were sorting debris. Oxides of Nitrogen/ Sulfur: Sampling on grappler operators on the rubble pile, and on employees at the truck wash stations revealed trace levels of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide. SO2 personal and area results were found to be below OSHA limits.

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