NYC-WTC_000196112

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Q' ’1 2001

250 Broadwa' _____________________________________ ■

SumnaryKeport ofEmmmmtenb^ Samp^tg & Geeoti^JIciMties Executive Summary

In the aftermath of the September 11 collapse of the World Trade Center Towers, the New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) Technical Service Department and Employee Health & Safety Compliance Office worked closely with the AmTrust Realty Corporation (AmTrust) to insure that NYCHA’s Offices in 250 Broadway were safe for re­ occupancy by September 21, 2001. Prior to reopening 250 Broadway. AmTrust followed both the New York City's Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) published procedures for reopening a building, after the disaster, in Lower Manhattan (see Attachment F for copies of those procedures). Both AmTrust and NYCHA performed environmental sampling and specialized dust cleaning because of potential contamination from the smoke and dust that was released into the air following the collapse of the Twin Towers. The plume of smoke from the collapse contained dust, ash, soot, and other burning materials present at the site and both parties were concerned that the plume might have contaminated the HVAC system and building envelope. NYCHA visually assessed the building's air handling units, supply ducts and NCYHA spaces and found no visual evidence that the plume contaminated the building. Both AmTrust and NYCHA collected asbestos and lead samples; no asbestos was detected in any of the samples but elevated lead in dust levels were found in several of the dust samples. Please be aware that NYCHA used the most protective standard under HUD, 40 micrograms of lead per square foot (pg/ft^), to evaluate the risk from lead in the settled dust within the air handling units and tenant spaces. This is the federal residential standard used to determine whether children may re-enter an apartment after lead has been removed or abated, as children are much more susceptible than adults to the dangers posed by exposure to lead. Both AmTrust and NYCHA cleaned the air handling units and NYCHA spaces until all dust sample results were below 40 pg/ft^. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), working closely with other federal, state, and local agencies, have been sampling the air, dust, water, river sediments and drinking water and analyzing them for the presence of pollutants such as asbestos, radiation, mercury and other metals, pesticides. PCBs, or bacteria that might create health hazards. Both agencies have taken hundreds of samples to monitor environmental conditions since September 11. and have found no evidence of any significant public health hazard to residents, visitors or workers beyond the immediate World Trade Center area (Ground Zero).

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NYC-WTC_000196114