US Senate letter regarding WTC environmental protection measures, August 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

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all of titesc concerns will be addressed as the program moves forward, as well as whether you mtend to expand the geographic scope of the program to include a broader area that includes all residences and businesses-mcludiag the Chinatown community-that may have been affected by tile attacks.

I would also like to take this opportunity to request infbnnatiou aad clarification regarding ths fsUowjje aspects of the scopes of work:

• When is the testing and cleanup work expected to be^, and when is the work expected to be completed? Until whal date will people be able to request testing and cleanup assistance-will the deadline be extended beyond Septembers, 2002?

• It wo old appear from the scopes of work that there will be pre-cleaning and post-cleaning wipe sampling for dioxin, total metals and mercury, as well as post-cleaning air san^ling for asbestos. Is this the case and, if so, why is there no pre-cleaning air sampling for asbestos or pro- and post-cleaning wipe sampling for other contaminants? How were these contaminants decided upon for pre- and post-cleaning sampling?

• It would appear from the scopes ofwork that there will be pre-cleaning and post-cleaning wipe sampling for dioxin, total m’?tals and mercury, as well as post-cleaning air sampling for asbestos. Is this the case and if so, why is there no pre-cleaning air sampling for asbestos or pre- and post-cleaning wipe sampling for other contaminants? How were these contaminants decided upon for pre- and post-cleaning sampling? V

• How were sampling and cleanup equipment and methodologies decided upon, including the asbestos clean-up criteria of 0.0009 fibcts/cc? Is thisthe criteria that achieves the 10"* cancer risk that was mentioned in EPA’s fact sheet on the cleanup and testing plan? if so, how was the W* risk factor decided upon, versus a more protective risk fiictoi of

• Why ana the filing of asbestos project notification forms, the posting, of wanting signs. and the wearing of personal protective equipment only required during a Scope B cleanup? Why is the use of personal protective equipment required only during aggressive air sampling activities? Has the Occupational Safety and Health Adnunistration (OSHA) been consulted with respect to these aspects of the scopes of work?

• The scope of work for the cleaning contract indicates thafHVAC systems that are detennined to be impacted by dust and debris from the collapse of the World Trade Center win be cleaned^ How will it be determined that systems have been impacted? With respect to individual HVAC intakn/diBcharges. how was it decided that only one foot of tile ductwork would be cleaned?

■ Will there be any notification provided to building residents when any testing or cleanup is takingjjlace in a building, v/hethjer the testing/cleanup is being conducted in a rAwimnw area or in an individual unit? How is EPAproposing to address concerns regarding

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