Draft fact sheet for home cleaning, Feb 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

responsible for cleaning their own interior living spaces, including terraces, once any general and common building concerns which may interfere with interior living space cleanup have been addressed by the owner. The guidelines below will provide additional information regarding regular cleaning. In the event that you do not have access to HEPA vacuums for cleaning, the use of wet cleaning methods alone will also be effective in removing accumulations of dust. Frequent cleaning may be necessary to control accumulations of dust. The use of personal HEPA air cleaning devices in the living area may be effective in reducing the amount of particulate matter circulating in the air. A HEPA air cleaning device which also contains charcoal or carbon filters may be effective in the partial removal of minor, nuisance level odors.

Building Owners and Tenants Tenants and building owners should exchange information and discuss the satisfactory resolution of building-related cleaning concerns. City agencies will respond to any additional or continuing concerns or questions you may have, however, the minimum actions outlined here are essential for the safe occupancy of buildings in the lower Manhattan area. City agency contact information is listed below.

Routine Cleaning Procedures in Homes The following are recommendations for routine cleaning of minimal dust accumulation or a light coating of dust; • Proper dust cleanup will prevent settled dust from being reintroduced into the air. The best way to remove dust from surfaces is to use a wet/damp cloth or wet/damp mop. Sweeping the dust dry may cause it to get in the air you breathe. More detailed cleaning procedures are listed below. • Because some materials in the dust can be irritating to the skin, rubber gloves may be worn to reduce skin irritation. • Some people have reported irritation from dust in the air when they clean. You can use a dust mask to further protect yourself from breathing dust while cleaning. The dust can cause irritation of your nose, throat and lungs. An N-95 type dust mask is recommended for use during routine cleaning. These masks can be found at most local hardware and home improvement stores. • Use a high efficiency particulate air vacuum cleaner (HEPA) to clean dust from carpets, upholstery, and other materials that cannot be cleaned by wet wiping. A regular (standard) vacuum cleaner bag and filter is not recommend because it will blow dust from the floor into the air. If you do not have a HEPA vacuum, ask your building management company if they have a HEPA vacuum you can use. HEPA vacuums are available at most retail stores. In addition. Safe Horizons can provide some assistance with cleaning items for homes south of Canal Street. For more information contact them at 1-866-689-4357. Floors or surfaces with light dust accumulation can be cleaned by wet mopping/wiping. Wash water used for cleaning should be disposed of in the sink or toilet. Cloths and mops can be reused or disposed of after use. If reused, dirty mop heads and cleaning cloths should be washed separately from regular laundry. Wash mops and cloths after each use. Handling dry dirty cloths/mops can reintroduce dust in the air. • Floors or surfaces with a light visible dust accumulation can be HEPA vacuumed first then wet wiped/mopped using the procedure stated above. This step can help reduce the

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