Asbestos air sampling results, Sep 26 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document Fax:111—(15—buts uct 1 U1 ( •11 r. va

},mileott Associates, jut. Pre tnsinary Report•}t&S Evaluation NYPD Fresh Kips Lnad!1ti Page 3

3. We wcrc told by many that persom7el working in the raking and sieving operations were required to wear respirators for dust. We could not determine who made this directive, nor could we find a plan or report that detailed these requirements. Regardless ofwho made the caU or the rationale behind it, the NYPD has accepted it and mandated for NYPD personne? that respirators and personal protective equipment(PPE - disposable coveralls, gloves, hardhats)are required for thosejobs associated with ratting, sorting and handling debris.

4. Respirators arc being handed out by Federal OSHA personnel to whoever walks in the tent and requests one. It appears that many different manufacture types and sizes ofrespirators arc available reflecting probable donations or supply actualities. The OSHA personnel provide basic instruction on how to assemble and put-on (don)the respirator and instruct individuals on performing a positive and negative fit check. They did however, give respirators to individuals who wcrc obviously unqualified to wear respirators and who would not pass even the most rudimentary respirator fit check. Many ofthese individuals had lollor partial ea O at would make the respirator useless ibr asbestos of to enable dust. Upon further evaluation, it was determined that few individuals were fit- tested, had been gen adequate training, bad medical cleararte to wear a respirator, nor met marry of the basic good practice of requsr nnmeaus for using respiratory protection.

S. Handwritten results from an EPA logbook taken_ on 22 and 23 September showed LEL(lower explosive limit)readings in supply tents ranging up to 14°use results were made available to the NYPj3 during the evaluation on 27 September. c7 This indicates that there may be a potential for the collection oflandfill gas in 5 confined areas causing a potential for a flash fire ifthe concentration is sufficient and there is a source ofignition.

6. Direct reading instrument results, taken by Eniilcott on 27 September for vapors and gases associated with the landfill did not show that these gases were a health exposure concern to the workers onsite at the time ofour visit. Further qualitative testing would substantiate this finding. There is no current qualitative sampling being conducted by the EPA orPES for vapors and gases associated with the Iandfill.

The EPA has developed a Flesh Kill Landfill Site Safety Plan dated 20 Sept, which covers ESF-,101, EPA and USCGPersonnel only, The EPA did tell 01 Emilcott that they had a written air-sampling program that addresses our questions on exposure assessment. They did not have a copy of and told us they would email it to us ASAP. We have not this plan on Site date. Neither ofthese plans cover NYPD personnel. received this plan to

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