EPA Region 2 health effects screening criteria for ambient air

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

World Trade Center Health Effects Screening Criteria for Ambient Air

Introduction

Extensive air quality monitoring data have been collected at and around the World Trade Center (WTC) site since 9/11/01. Table 1 (Screening Criteria) is intended to provide health protective screening values for data evaluation. Analysis has been performed on an extensive list of potentially WTC-related contaminants. Many of the chemicals screened have demonstrated a consistently low (i.e., below detection limits or trace amounts) trend. Consequently, the list of contaminants in Table 1 represents those chemicals that, because of their intrinsic toxicity and frequency/magnitude-of -detection, pose the greatest potential hazard from exposure. This selection process (i.e., a toxicity/concentration analysis), although qualitative, reflects the contaminant-of-concem identification process recommended in the Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund. Table 1 may be expanded as additional data analysis becomes available. Two populations have been identified for assessment: response/demolition (i.e., WTC site) workers; and residents living in Lower Manhattan (e.g., Battery Park City, Tribeca and other residential locations close to Ground Zero). Included in the resident category are all other workers located in Lower Manhattan with the exception of WTC site workers.

Relevant Standards

The following paradigm has been employed to develop screening values. For each of the two identified receptor populations (i.e., site workers and residents), existing standards are utilized where appropriate. Occupational standards (i.e., OSH A PELs) are used for all site workers conducting response/demolition activities covered by OS HA. Monitoring data from demolition areas are compared to OSHA PELs. (For example, the OSHA PEL of 1 ppm for benzene is used to evaluate benzene air samples taken directly from within the plume on the debris pile.) Environmental standards (e.g., NAAQS, AHERA) are utilized to evaluate monitoring data from the site perimeter and beyond where residents or non-WTC site workers may be exposed. (For example, lead air monitoring data from perimeter stations outside of the immediate work zone are evaluated against the NAAQS of 1.5 pg/m’).

Risk-Based Screening Criteria

In cases where appropriate standards do not exist, risk-based screening criteria have been developed for residential (including the non-WTC site workers) receptors. (In the absence of OSHA standards, it is beyond the scope of EPA’s mission to develop “occupational” screening values.) The risk assessment paradigm detailed in EPA’s “Hazard Evaluation Handbook; A Guide to Removal Actions” (HEH) was employed for this initiative (except where otherwise noted in the Table 1 footnotes). Screening levels reflect the most current toxicity criteria (Slope Factors and RfCs) on EPA’s IRIS database.

For carcinogenic compounds excess lifetime cancer risk was set at E-04 (one-in-ten thousand). The residential exposure scenario in the HEH was modified for carcinogens from the default of 30 years (upper-bound estimate for residency in one dwelling) to 1 year (to reflect an upper bound estimate for the length of time a resident may be potentially exposed to WTC-related

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