NYC-WTC_000208381

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Results of Air and Settled Dust Sampling at 366 Broadway Introduction As part of an ongoing effort to assess environmental impacts following the collapse of the World Trade Center, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) conducted air and surface settled dust sampling in and around 30 residential buildings in lower Manhattan between November 4 and December 12, 2001. On November 30,2001, settled dust samples were collected from inside two residential units and from one common area. Because there was no visible dust present, no outdoor sample was collected. The samples were analyzed for fibers and minerals commonly found in building construction materials. The results of samples collected from your building, along with the results of the samples collected from comparison residential buildings above 59th Street in Manhattan, are reported below. For a more complete discussion of the results, their limitations, and their meaning we encourage you to read the enclosed Executive Summary or view the complete report on our web page at www.nvc.gov/health.

Results and Discussion

Many people from the communities affected by the collapse of the buildings at the World Trade Center reported irritation of the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. For that reason, the air and dust sampling included analysis of substances that may be irritants. Analysis was also conducted of substances (i.e., crystalline silica and asbestos) that are associated with long-term health concerns such as lung disease and lung cancer.

The development of health effects from an exposure to a contaminant depends on how much of the contaminant may be present; how concentrated the contaminant is; how the contaminant enters the body (breathed in, eaten, skin contact); how long a person may be exposed; and the individual differences among people. Unfortunately, there is a lack of environmental exposure standards for most of the materials sampled in this study. Much of what is known about the relationship between mineral and fiber exposures and health effects comes from occupational studies where people have been exposed to varying contaminant levels and periods of time. These studies provide information about the levels at which different health effects have been noted.

Total dust in sampled areas was not measured; however, investigators noted if visible dust was none, slight, or heavy. Most visible dust in sampled areas was slight to none. Data on individual sampling areas are available in the full report. The following tables contain the results of samples collected from your building and those of comparison buildings.

Crystalline Minerals

Potential Health Effects

Exposure to the minerals calcite, portlandite, and gypsum can result in eye, skin, nose, and throat irritation. All of these irritant effects are generally temporary and begin to resolve once exposure ceases. These minerals do not pose long-term health hazards. Exposure to large amounts of the mineral halite (rock salt) can damage tissues. Inhaled mica and crystalline silica (quartz and cristobalite) can become lodged in the lungs and over time irritate the lung tissue and cause scarring. Chronic (on-going) exposure to silica may also contribute to other respiratory illnesses such as lung cancer, emphysema, and obstructive airway disease.

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NYC-WTC_000208381