Forwarded memo regarding emergency procurement, May 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Good afternoon. I am pleased to be here today with the EPA and our federal, state

and city partners to announce the launch of a comprehensive program to allay the fears of

Lower Manhattan residents concerned about possible asbestos contamination in their homes

caused by the collapse of the World Trade Center. There are approximately 31, people

living south of Canal Street, and none of them should have to live with concerns of the air

they breathe. We are gratified that FEMA, through EPA and DEP, are providing emergency

funding to allow residential dwellings to be cleaned and tested for asbestos. While our work

to date has found minimal instances of asbestos in the buildings surrounding Ground Zero,

we are confident that the measures announced today will help further reassure residents of

Lower Manhattan of the safety of their living environment.

Immediately following the collapse of the Twin Towers, the City initiated cleanup

activities of streets, sidewalks, and exterior common areas with EPA. Since September 11*,

we have established an air monitoring network in and around Ground Zero to evaluate the

ambient air quality on a continuirg basis. Since January, DEP inspectors have been

conducting an assessment of building exteriors. To date, approximate^- 800 buildings have

been inspected to identify potential debris from the World Trade Center coUapse on

rooftops and facades. Where we have found exterior debris, it has formed into dense, cake­

like deposits and in all amounts, and causes no significant risk to residents, workers or

visitors. To ensure that it is cleaned up, and to ensure that residual debris poses zero risk to

human health, the City, with the assistance of EPA, is in the process of cleaning up this

material itself.

We have also been compiling indoor air samples from approximate^^ 300 building

owners in Lower Manhattan. Of the more than 121, samples submitted to date, only

1% has been above the established asbestos guidelines. In all these cases, a proper clean-up

was conducted. DEP has responded to owner requests and citizen complaints about debris

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