EPA/DEP letter re: Validity of 114 Liberty Street test data,

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

H August 4, 2003

Department of Mr. Walter Melnick Environmental Federal Emergency Management Agency Protection Federal Recovery Office 59-17 Junction Boulevard 80 Centre Street, 3"* Floor Flushing, New York New York, NY 10013 11373-5108

Dear Mr. Melnick,

Christopher O. Ward The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and NYC Department Commissioner of Environmental Protection (DEP) are in receipt of the analytical test results supplied to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by residents of 114 Liberty Street via Congressman Jerrold Nadler’s office. These samples were collected and analyzed in April 2003 and the data were received by FEMA on June 24 and EPA on June 25,2003. As explained below we believe that the extensive data collected by DEP and its contractors to clear this building are valid.

As part of the EPA, FEMA and DEP voluntary clean-up program for residential units in lower Manhattan, DEP was responsible for the clean-up of World Trade Center (WTC) dust and debris fi-om unoccupied, unclean^ residential buildings; one of which was 114 Liberty Street. EPA collaborated with DEP on this part of the program.

DEP developed the scope of work following the requirements set forth in Title 15 Chapter 1 of RCNY (Asbestos Control Program) Rules. Copies of this scope of work were distributed to EPA, the building management and the residents for input and comment. In addition, sampling was done for contaminants of potential concern following EPA protocols established specifically for EPA’s WTC Residential Confirmation Cleaning Study. The analytical results were compared to health-based benchmarks established by EPA’s Interagency Indoor Air Task Force. The contaminants of potential concern included: asbestos, lead, dioxin, PAHs (Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons), fibrous glass and crystalline silica.

The clean-up started on March 6,2003 and was completed on March 29, 2003. The test results were reviewed and indicated that all the primary clearance levels were achieved.

In April of2003, DEP sent the Board of Directors a letter informing-them— that the clean-up activities had been completed as per the clean-up and monitoring specifications, as well as the access agreements for 114 Liberty Street. Attached to the letter were copies of correspondence from EPA regarding the clearance levels for contaminants of possible concern and

C www.nyc.gov/dep )

(718) DEP-HELP 1

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