Draft DOHMH proposal to FEMA, August 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

• Outsourced Firm will review standards, guidelines and literature for each contaminant, focusing on the USEPA contaminants of potential concern (COPC) list, and develop a written discussion of conclusions.

• Outsourced Firm will review and summarize the literature on health effects of each of the COCs.

• Complete an exposure analysis to determine the extent of exposure to COPC. The exposure analysis would include the following elements at a minimum: a) Describe the chronology of events after time zero (using multiple sources including city, state and federal records, newspaper articles, and eyewitness accounts.) b) Establish a framework for analysis. Characterize contaminant source; define source strength parameters, media pathways, sensitive receptors (e.g., first responders, volunteers, office workers, cleanup workers, reconstruction workers, residents); time duration (e.g., peak, intermediate and long term); and types of exposure. c) Describe unknowns (e.g., extent of exposure during peak, uncertainty and data gaps, synergism of pollutant exposures.)

• A report will be developed documenting findings and interpretations.

DOHMH’s effort will be in conjunction with the indoor air studies USEPA is conducting in downtown Manhattan. USEPA’s focus is estimating environmental exposures, including the reduction in exposure that can be accomplished by interior cleaning. DOHMH’s study will incorporate USEPA’s data with focus on potential human health impacts from these environmental exposures.

2.2 Task 2 - Dissemination of Information Utilizing the information gathered in Task 1, various tools will be created to better communicate with the public, the press; regulators and the scientific community. This effort will be coordinated with the Deputy Mayor’s Office for Economic Development outreach program. These tools include:

• Fact sheets and reports with focus on the community at large as well as on specific stakeholders (e.g., residents, office workers, the press, etc.);

• User-friendly charts and graphics utilizing GIS as an integrated tool in data compilation and input to risk assessment; and

• An assigned website that includes all documents and deliverables generated.

In addition, to provide communication specialists with pertinent information, the following will occur:

• Establish a record of response to erroneous statements regarding lower Manhattan.

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