Community health assessment report, Dec 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

reasons given for the safety concern (CHART 1). When asked if they planned to stay in their homes, 7% of the sample reported they did not plan to stay. Residents of Battery Park City were more likely to report they did not intend to stay (15%). Many residents of Southbridge and Independence Plaza, which are both predominantly middle-income Mitchell-Lama housing complexes, reported they had limited options to move to other areas. Those residents who indicated they were not planning on staying were more likely to report feeling unsafe in their homes.

Dust and debris from the WTC were ubiquitous in lower Manhattan following the attack. Given the fears regarding safety associated with the debris, it is important to note that only 40% of residents reported their apartments had been cleaned according to the recommended methods of wet mopping hard surface floors and using HEPA vacuums on carpeting. Of those who did not report cleaning properly, 53% said they had received information regarding recommended clean up procedures. Overall, 59% reported receiving information about cleaning procedures. In addition, in households that were not cleaned according to these recommendations, many interviewees reported needing financial assistance and/or physical assistance with cleanup efforts.

CHART 1: Concerns For Home Safety

100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Structural Dust Air Quality Fear of other Hazards Further Terrorism

Bl Battery Park City □ Southbridge Towers B Independence Plaza

Physical Symptoms Following September 11th: Residents of lower Manhattan reported a number of symptoms that have either developed or increased since September 11. Nose/throat irritations and eye irritation/infections were the most frequently reported symptoms (CHART 2). Nose and throat irritation continued to be a problem in approximately half of the population at the time of the survey (end of October). Other reported symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, skin rashes and headaches. These symptoms are consistent with what one would expect from the on-going exposure to the smoke released from the fires burning at the WTC site.

Community Needs Assessment 7

NYC-WTC_000150500