Memorandum on asbestos wipe sampling and cancer risk estimation, December

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY . WASHINGTON. D.C. 20460 /

U'' / /6ffice\f SOLID WASTE AND RESPONSE

MEMORANDUM A 4-,

DATE: December 19,2001

SUBJECT: ■ wipe sampling for asbestos in Lower Maihattan ■ Projection of airborne levels from settled WTC dusts ■ Estimation of Increased cancer risks based on various WTC dust exposure scenarios

FROM: Cate Jenkins, Ph.D. Waste Identification Branch (Mail Code 5304 W) Hazardous Waste Identification Division

TO: AfTected Parties and Responsible Officials I I The following memorandum provides information on taking wipe samples of settled dusts inside buildings in Lower Manhattan that resulted from the collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC). I Studies are discussed which correlate the amount of asbestos that will become airborne (resuspended) because of activities such as sweeping, athletic activities, etc. Information is provided on the cumulative exposures (total doses) found by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to be associated with asbestos-related health effects, and examples are given how tQiUse this information to calculate doses of asbestos from the WTC I disaster. Finally, a brief section explains the different methods for analyzing and reporting I asbestos levels. I I The ^?b’ses, projections, and opinions in this memorandum represent my own professional I judgement and are not intended to be construed as any official position or recommendation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This memorandum is not intended as any final risk assessment risks from continued and past exposures to asbestos, and has not been reviewed by EPA. The data is too incomplete at this time for any complete projection of risks, and there are too many methods available for performing such projections. My attempt was intended only as a 1 point of discussion prior to more rigorous assessments.

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