Health and environment document revision, August 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Q. I went into P.C. Richard & Son and overheard the sales person telling someone that she can get reimbursedfor an air conditioner because her old one broke a few weeks after 9-11-01. Is this true? Whatelseisthegovemmentpayingforthatldon^t know about?

A. It’s true. FEMA is reimbursing expenses relating to air conditioners, air purifiers, and HEPA filter vacuum cleaners to any New York City household exposed to World Trade Center fallout. For information on eligibility, registration, and reimbursement, contact FEMA at 1-800-462-9029. You also can get reimbursed for an old air conditioner by calling The New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA) at 1-877-NYSMART.

Click Available Resources for a complete list of resources available to you free of charge.

Q, My air conditioner is filled witit dustfrom the WTC collapse and I need a new one. Pve seen fryers recentlyforfree replacements, but Pm afraid I might get ripped off- how do I know if these offers are legitimate? A. Bogus flyers, Web site promotions, and ads selling air conditioners, as well as air purifiers and HEPA filter vacuum cleaners, promise that residents can be reimbursed for the cost by FEMA. Some "promotional offers" ask for deposits and contracts up front with the intention of getting residents to buy products even before they're approved for FEMA's program. To be sure you're not getting ripped off, register with FEMA by calling 1-800-462-9029 before you buy an air conditioner, air purifier, or HEPA filter vacuum cleaner.

0. I volunteered at Ground Zero for weeks after 9-11, and although I generally feel ftne, I can *t help but wony that I e^qjosed myselfto toxic chemicals. Am I at riskfor serious illnesses down the road?

A. Generally speaking, illnesses are unlikely to occur if you were exposed to high intensities of dust and smoke for a short period of time. You may initially have developed eye, nose, throat, and lung irritation as a result of dust in the air, but these should have subsided by now, and should not result in long-term health effects. If you developed asthma, wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest pain, you should see a physician.

Q. Can Ifeel secure about the air quality in Lower Manhattan ? It sometimes seems very dusty down here.

A. Since September 11,2001, the EPA has been monitoring the air, dust, water, river sediments, and drinking water in Lower Manhattan for presence of toxic chemicals that can a pose a health risk to the public and those who worked at Ground Zero. Air samples taken during the first few days after September 11 showed some elevated levels of dioxins and lead in the air, but these levels tapered off pretty quickly. In general, the air quality has returned to levels prior to September 11.

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