NYC-WTC_000220369

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

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Re; Asbestos & Lead Testing Page 2 of 3

For several weeks after the disaster, the Theater was used by members of the rescue and recovery operation. There is concern that these personnel may have carried asbestos and lead contamination on their clothing when they returned to the building. H. A. Bader Consultants scope of work was to determine if there is a potential asbestos and/oi lead related health concern in the Theater. The asbestos testing in the Paint Shop was performed at the request of the Painting Staff.

If asbestos fibers enter a building they may remain airborne or settle onto fixed surfaces (primarily horizontal surfaces). Lead dust is heavy and settles very quickly. H. A. Bader Consultants testing methods concentrated on both airborne and surface testing for asbestos and only surface testing for lead.

Lead Testing

The U.S. Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the City of New York Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) have established allowable levels of lead dust in residential settings occupied by children. The HUD/DEP clearance level is of 50 jig/ft^. These levels arc extremely conservative and apply to buildings where small children (less than six years old) reside or frequently visit.

Three lead dust samples were taken in the Theater. All 3 samples were below the level of detection. This te.sting indicates that lead contamination is not present in the Theater.

Aebestoe Air Sampling

Three air samples were taken in the Theater and one sample in the Paint Shop. The samples were analyzed by an accredited asbestos laboratory using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM analysis is very accurate for finding even trace amounts of asbestos fibers present in the air.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a protocol for determining whether school areas are safe for re-occupancy after completion of asbestos abatement projects. This procedure is covered by EPA 40 CFR Part 763, Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools. The procedures state that the average asbestos airborne fiber level in the abated work area must be less than 70 asbestos structures per square millimeter (AS/mm^).

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