WTC cleanup fact sheets access agreements August 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

of airborne asbestos testing, modified-aggressive and aggressive. Modified-aggressive testing simulates the normal air movement you would expect in a room where a fan or air conditioner was running. In aggressive testing, a one-horsepower leaf blower is used to blast air into all comers of the residence before testing is begun. From that point on, the two tests are identical. Any air conditional are turned on and 20-inch fans (one per 10,000 cubic feet of room space) are run at low speeds for the duration of the test. Depending on the number of rooms in a residence, from three to five air samplers are located in the residence and run for approximately eight hours. These samplers draw in a measured volume of room air and collect dust particles from the air on a filter. The collected dust is then examined in a laboratory for asbestos.

Residents may occupy their home during modified-aggressive testing but should be prepared for noise and disruption. Occupants with known allergies, asthma or other health concerns should consider contacting their health care provider to determine whether it is advisable to be present while cleaning and/or testing is underway. Residents must relocate during and for 48 hours after aggressive testing. The Red Cross has agreed to provide financial assistance to defray costs for relocation expenses. Information from the Red Cross will be provided as needed. Occupants will need to remove or secure objects, including pictures and artwork, that could be blown over or otherwise damaged.

The Project Monitor will conduct a post-cleaning inspection of the apartment with the resident at the completion of modified-aggressive sampling or upon re-entry after aggressive sampling. During this inspection the project monitor and the resident will determine whether cleaning/monitoring activities were completed and whether any property damage or loss has occurred. The resident will sign a Project Completion Form.

At a limited number of residences (approximately 250), the Project Monitor will conduct pre- and post-cleanup wipe sampling for dioxin, total metals and mercury. Results of this sampling will be shared with occupants of the individual residence tested.

EPA will notify residents and owners of the results of the post-cleanup airborne asbestos testing within one month. Residence-specific test results will not be made public.

Finally, your residence will be recleaned and retested if the post-cleanup testing finds levels of asbestos in excess of EPA’s cleanup goal.

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