Memo draft for DEP Commissioner, Oct 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Asbestos In Dust

If a substance contains 1% or more asbestos, it is considered to be an "asbestos­ containing material." There are federal regulations in place to ensure the proper handling and disposal of asbestos-containing material. If a substance contains less than 1% asbestos, these regulations do not apply.

EPA is using the 1% definition in evaluating dust samples from in and around Battery Park City. All Battery Park City landlords have been instructed to test dust samples within their buildings utilizing this standard. The vast majority of samples taken to date have levels of asbestos below 1%. In fact, in an urban environment like New York City, we can expect the presence of a low level of asbestos under normal circumstances (these low everyday levels are called "background levels"). No Battery Park City building has been allowed to reopen to the public unless it has been tested and, if found to have levels of asbestos-containing materials above 1%, cleaned.

Asbestos In Drinking Water

EPA's standard for asbestos in drinking water is 7 million fibers per liter of water. This standard, which was adopted to protect people from health risks due to asbestos exposure, is the standard EPA is using when it analyzes drinking water samples taken from underground water mains and water tanks at the top of buildings in lower Manhattan. AH water in and around Battery Park City has been deemed safe for ordinary use and consumption.

NYC Department of Health

The New York City Health Commissioner Neal L. Cohen, M.D. has reviewed the findings of the various testing agencies and on Friday issued the following statements to residents. He said “despite the smoky conditions in areas of lower Manhattan that are close to the World Trade Center site, test results from the ongoing monitoring of airborne contaminants indicate that the levels continue to be below the level of concern to public health.” Nonetheless, while debris continues to be disturbed, and while flare ups of smoke continue to permeate the downtown area, air testing results will continue to be monitored, and appropriate health recommendations will be issued as necessary. Dr. Cohen added, “As work continues at the disaster site, the presence of dust and smoke odor in the downtown area has been of understandable concern to residents. However, air monitoring by Federal, State and City agencies has indicated that the levels of particulate matter being detected are below the level of public health concern and do not pose long-term health risks to the general public.

In addition to air monitoring activities, efforts are being made daily to suppress dust and smoke at the World Trade Center disaster site. Results of daily dust sampling conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is available online at epa.gov. Fact sheets

NYC-WTC_000150167