Draft EPA OIG report excerpts on WTC indoor response, Oct

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

DRAFT EXCERPTS - FOR REVIEW & DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY

Table 3-1: Actions by New York City

Date Key Statement

09-14-01 The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) provided a notice to building owners entitled “Clean-up of Asbestos Containing Material.” For “minimal dust accumulations (light coating)” the notice recommended using wet methods and/or vacuums equipped with HEPA filters. For “accumulations of dust that included pieces of debris” the procedures provided for two options. Building owners could assume that the material was asbestos containing material (ACM) and have it cleaned in accordance with NYCDEP Asbestos Abatement Program removal procedures, or have the material sampled by a NYC­ DEP certified investigator or NYS-DOL inspector to determine whether the material was ACM and subject to New York City’s Asbestos Abatement Program removal procedures. ACM was identified as any material containing more than one percent asbestos. (See Appendix M for a copy of the notice).

09-16-01 The NYCDEP issued a “Public Notice” flyer to building owners that discussed building maintenance issues. The notice stated that building owners/managers should have possible contamination problems reviewed by competent professionals, (see Appendix N for a copy of the notice).

09-17-01 NYCDOH issued a press release that recommended that individuals reentering their residences and places of work remove dust by using a wet rag or wet mop, and vacuum with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filtration vacuum. If a HEPA vacuum was not available, the press release recommended using HEPA bags or dust allergen bags with a regular vacuum cleaner. EPA’s web site also linked to these instructions.(see Appendix O for a copy of the press release).

09-26-01 NYCDEP issued a notice to building owners entitled “Clean-up of Debris inside Buildings” which was identical to the notice issued on 9-14-01 except for three items. First, the notice did not say “accumulations of dust that include pieces of debris . . may be assumed to be ACM.” Second, the notice stated that such accumulations “can be sampled” [rather than “must be sampled”] by a NYC-DEP certified investigator or NYS-DOL inspector. Third, the notice stated that EPA had studied the situation and reported “that the potential presence of ACM in dust and debris is minimal.” (see Appendix P for a copy of the instructions).

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NYC-WTC_000153500