FEMA/EPA coordination memo and draft document, April 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

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EPA/NYC Indoor Air Approach - Request to FEMA 4/19/02 Identification. Inspection and Possible Cleaning of HVAC Systems as Part of Exterior Cleaining NYCDEP will identify the residential buildings with HVAC systems in lower Manhattan and determine if further action needs to be taken to inspect or clean these systems. This effort will be combined with the exterior building cleaning effort. Projected Cost: To be determined.

Cleaning of Debris-Laden Unoccupied Buildings NYCDEP will clean the remaining unoccupied (residential and commercial) buildings near the WTC site that contain WTC-debris. This is necessary to prevent recontamination of other structures in lower Manhattan. Projected Cost: $10 million, based upon estimates approximately $1 million/building for 10 buildings

Pilot Building Cleaning Effort to Confirm Cleaning Techniques EPA will clean one unoccupied building to confirm and test the techniques recommended for removing WTC-debris material from the indoor environment. Projected Cost: $5 million

Direct Assistance to Residences and Residential Buildings Owners EPA, working with OSHA and NYC, will establish mechanisms to offer assistance to individuals that self-identify as having cleaning concerns in lower Manhattan within a geographic area bounded on the south, east and west by the coastline and on the north by the south side of Canal Street. EPA will solicit participation in this direct assistance program through public announcements. A hotline will be established to receive requests from the public as soon as possible. The assistance will include the following options: 1) Cleaning within apartments and building open spaces, followed by air asbestos testing, using asbestos abatement contractors. Based on existing data evaluated by OSHA during lower Manhattan indoor clean-ups, OSHA will under appropriate circumstances make a determination that these contractors will not be required to use protective clothing or gear. If the contractor determines protective clothing and gear is warranted based on their observation of the conditions the cleaning will be done using appropriate personal protective equipment. 2) Testing for airborne asbestos within residences or building areas. 3) Providing HEPA vacuums to residences who request to perform their own cleaning on an ongoing basis. Projected Cost: Needs to be determined. (The March 11 submittal was for $80 million.) Vacuums costs approximately $400/each. Apartment cleaning is approximately $14,000/apartment. Testing for asbestos is approximately $3,000/apartment. Commercial space cleaning and testing is $6-8 /sq. foot. Total costs will not be available until the information campaign is complete and EPA can determine the extent of what will be required.

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