Field verification inspection report review, August 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Gilsenan, Michael From: Lutchmedial, Carlstien Sent: Monday, September 02, 2002 10:12 AM To: Theodorellys, Penny; Radhakrishnan, Krish Cc: Avaltroni, Robert; Plumptre, Alphonso; Rammohan, Ramasubbu; Gilsenan, Michael Subject: Independence Plaza

On Sunday, September 1,2002 at 10 am I met with Ms Katherine Freed, and two tenants of the complex. Before we started our walk through of the complex they questioned me as to why DEP was not cleaning their building. Their rational was that it should be cleaned because the dust from the barge which was used to transport WTC debris contaminated their complex further. This is in addition to the original WTC debris. Also, they said that the Stuyvesant HS last week had to be evacuated and recleaned because of ACM contamination. In addition, EPA had informed them that DEP must clean the outside of the complex. John one of the tenants had a screw driver and unscrewed an interior vent cover in the lobby to look for dust. There was only cobweb in the vent.

I informed them that I was not aware of the comments and explained to them what the DEP clean-up program was about. Then informed them that I would be happy to inspect anywhere on the exterior that they believed may have WTC debris. At this point they did not know where to go. That is, there was no location in which they knew had collections of WTC dust. I was shown a dirty window pane at 310 Greenwich St. it appeared to be a window that was not cleaned for many years. We then walked around but could not find any location where there might be WTC debris.

Ms Freedman said she was concerned about the porous nature of the bricks and that there might be invisible fibers in it. One of the other tenants said that I should look into the cracks of the window ledges, maybe the dust might have gone inside those cracks. As we walked along, they kept wiping their hands on surfaces which resulted in a black finger. I explained that this would be the same situation anywhere in the City. Plus the dust was not visible or collectible. They showed me some street level terraces on Greenwich street (This is not a true terrace but a concrete shed over the entrances) which might have accumulations. However, there was no ladder to climb. I parked my car on the sidewalk and climbed on it to access the terrace. The terrace had years of sand, dirt, and garbage. No WTC debris.

After walking around, with no particular location in mind, I informed them that it might be best for them to identify locations where they believe might have WTC debris make a list for me and DEO will come and re-inspect. Which they agreed to do. However, at the present time based on my observations, no further action is necessary. I suggested that they take advantage of the EPA cleaning program, this will help resolve their concern about the dust from the barge also as air monitoring would be done. This would give a good indication of what’s in the air.

Again, no further action necessary.

1

NYC-WTC_000163473