Draft Q&A on DEP rooftop debris cleanup program, n.d.

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Many independent doctors and health experts, as well as federal, state, and city agencies agree that there is very little risk of health problems as a result of the WTC cleanup efforts.

g. Pve been hearing a lot about asbestos — how it may be in my apartment, in the air. Since I live near Ground Zero, should I being doing something?

A. There is little reason to be concerned about health risks relating to asbestos. Asbestos only becomes a problem when it is airborne, and to date, air samples taken by EPA and independent contractors have not shown any worrisome elevated asbestos levels. (We did have a few spikes - but nothing of concern or unanticipated)

Scientists agree that even elevated levels of asbestos do not necessarily pose an immediate health threat. Asbestos exposure becomes a health concern when high concentrations of asbestos fibers are inhaled over a long period of time. Illness is very unlikely to result fi-om a single, high-level exposure, or fi-om short periods of low-level exposure.

Despite the low risk of asbestos contamination, NYC DEP is testing for asbestos in cleaning any WTC debris found during the exterior building cleanup program, and EPA is testing for asbestos in residential buildings. If you are concerned about asbestos in your apartment, you should take advantage of the EPA’s internal cleanup program and request your apartment be cleaned and/or tested. [Insert link to feature story.]

0. /Is a parent, I can’t help but worty about my child^s health. Every time she goes to the park andputs dirt or sand in her mouth, I get nervous that she’s ingesting something toxic. I also am concerned about the indoor air quality in her school What efforts have been done to address parents’ concerns?

A. From October 4,2001, to June 30,2002, the New York Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) worked with several New York City agencies, including the Board of Education, to provide air monitoring in and around the schools near the World Trade Center disaster site. Air samples did not show harmful asbestos levels outside of the main entrances to four Lower Manhattan schools: Stuyvesant High School, IS/PS 89, PS 234, and the High School of Economics and Finance.

Additionally, EPA has used its HEPA filter SUPERVAC vacuum trucks to clean Lower Manhattan area parks, playgroimds, and even children's sandboxes. [NEED INFO ON SCHOOL AND PLAYGROUND CLEANUP/TESTING]

[TK: THIRD PARTY Q&A OR STORY]

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