CEQ fax cover sheet, October 2003

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

10/17/2003 09:28 FAX 2024566548 CEQ @002/003

DRAFT 10/17/03

Charge to Expert Panel to Impl ent Targeted Testing Program to Address Gaps in Indoor Air Program Identified bv EPA Inspector General The August 21,2003 EPA Inspector General report identifies several gaps in the indoor residential cleanup program conducted in lower Manhattan. In particular, the EPA IG report focuses on the following gaps:

• the limited geographic scope of the program; • the exclusion of commercial space fiom the program; • the need to assess potential recontamination of cleaned residences in buildings that have central HVAC systems; • the need to verify that cleaning has been effective in reducing exposure to all contaminants of concern;

To address these gaps, the expert panel should design, peer review, and implement a testing program that includes the following elements:

• identification of the ‘ signature’ of WTC dust using XRF or similar techniques; ■ collection a sufficient number of aggressive air and dust wipe samples to enable the analysis, within standard levels of statistical confidence, of the extent of WTC dust contamination in the gq> areas identified above (e.g., Manhattan areas above Canal Street and Brooklyn, commercial spaces, cleaned and uncleaned units and HVAC systems in buildings with central HVAC systems, and already cleaned apartments). • Testing of collected samples for all contaminants of concern that have been found in WTC dust, such as asbestos, mercury, lead, dioxin, PCBs, PAH's, fiberglass, silica, nickel, Ci ium, and chromium. • Collection and analysis of control samples in the Bronx or other suitable areas outside Manhattan - • Use of certified technicians and laboratories that operate in ccIhJl»liance with standard relevant OSHA standards and regulatory requirements regarding worker protection. —---------------------- -------------- - • Adherence to standard ‘chain of custody’ protocols and use of split samples. Implementation/Timeline • The panel and the testing must be supported by Administration funding commitments. • The testing should be performed independently through cooperative agreement (e.g., through NIEHS-funded Enviro sntal Sciences Centers who already have been involved in WTC dust testing and evaluation.) • Testing protocols, peer review documents, data, and analysis should be publicly available. • Testing, analysis and recommendations for follow-up steps, including additional cleanup if necessary, should be completed within three months.

DRAFT 10/17/03

NYC-WTC_000164364