NYC-WTC_000209427

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

In Libby, Montana, the Superfund site, EPA is requiring that all contaminated residences receive new carpet and upholstered furniture at no expense to the homeowner, because it was determined that asbestos could not be removed by any cost effective process, even HEPA vacuuming with wet extraction.

In NYC, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has advised residents to dispose of any contaminated ca-pel or upholstered furniture, according to available news reports.

In my opinion, NYC residents should receive replacement carpet and upholstered furniture at no cost to themselves during the cleanup.

RELATING ASBESTOS DUST LEVELS WITH HEALTH RISKS

EPA’s zero standard for asbestos in dust

The following are EPA’s official statutes, regulations, and findings establishing zero exposure as the only standard or benchmark for asbestos, v/hether in air, dust, water, etc. EPA does not find any exposure to asbestos to be acceptable,'’ and EPA states there is no safe exposure to asbestos:'”

Available evidence supports the conclusion that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos. This conc usion is consistent with present theory of cancer etiology and is further supported by the many documented cases where low or short term exposure has been shown to cause asbestos -related disease.

Most occupational studies have been concucted on populations exposed to high airborne concentrations of asbestos for long periods of time. However, short term occupational exposures, have also been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma. In addition, there are many documented cases of mesothelioma linked to extremely brief exposures to high concentrations or long-term exposure to low concentrations.

The Asbestos School Hazard Detection and Control Act (AHERA) states that the only standard or safe exposure level to asbestos is ZERO:*’

[C]hildren may be particularly vulnerable to environmentally induced cancers ... medical science has not established any minimum level of exposure to asbestos fibers which is considered to be safe to individuals exposed to the fibers.

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) regulations for schools also are explicit, saying there are no safe exposures to asbestos.'"

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