[Senate Hearing 107-524]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
S. Hrg. 107-524, Part II
AIR QUALITY IN NEW YORK CITY AFTER THE SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 ATTACKS
=======================================================================
FIELD HEARING
BEFORE THE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON CLEAN AIR, WETLANDS, AND CLIMATE CHANGE
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON
ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED SEVENTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
ON
AIR QUALITY IN NEW YORK CITY AFTER THE SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 ATTACKS
__________
FEBRUARY 11, 2002--NEW YORK CITY
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Printed for the use of the Committee on Environment and Public Works
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
82-894 WASHINGTON : 2003
____________________________________________________________________________
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COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
ONE HUNDRED SEVENTH CONGRESS
second session
JAMES M. JEFFORDS, Vermont, Chairman
MAX BAUCUS, Montana BOB SMITH, New Hampshire
HARRY REID, Nevada JOHN W. WARNER, Virginia
BOB GRAHAM, Florida JAMES M. INHOFE, Oklahoma
JOSEPH I. LIEBERMAN, Connecticut CHRISTOPHER S. BOND, Missouri
BARBARA BOXER, California GEORGE V. VOINOVICH, Ohio
RON WYDEN, Oregon MICHAEL D. CRAPO, Idaho
THOMAS R. CARPER, Delaware LINCOLN CHAFEE, Rhode Island
HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, New York ARLEN SPECTER, Pennsylvania
JON S. CORZINE, New Jersey BEN NIGHTHORSE CAMPBELL, Colorado
Ken Connolly, Majority Staff Director
Dave Conover, Minority Staff Director
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Subcommittee on Clean Air, Wetlands, and Climate Change
JOSEPH I. LIEBERMAN, Connecticut, Chairman
HARRY REID, Nevada GEORGE V. VOINOVICH, Ohio
THOMAS R. CARPER, Delaware JAMES M. INHOFE, Oklahoma
HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, New York MICHAEL D. CRAPO, Idaho
JON S. CORZINE, New Jersey BEN NIGHTHORSE CAMPBELL, Colorado
(ii)
C O N T E N T S
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Page
FEBRUARY 11, 2002--NEW YORK CITY
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL--Continued
Attachments from EPA:
Attachment 3, Non-Fixed Location Air Sampling and Monitoring
Record of Results
December 21, 2001........................................ 1
December 22-27, 2001..................................... 42
December 28, 2001........................................ 78
December 29-31, 2001..................................... 81
January 1-2, 2002........................................ 137
January 3, 2002.......................................... 147
January 4, 2002.......................................... 163
January 5-7, 2002........................................ 180
January 8, 2002.......................................... 215
January 9, 2002.......................................... 224
January 10, 2002......................................... 244
January 11, 2002......................................... 257
January 12-14, 2002...................................... 298
January 15, 2002......................................... 336
January 16, 2002......................................... 353
January 17, 2002......................................... 388
January 18, 2002......................................... 402
January 19-21, 2002...................................... 414
January 22, 2002......................................... 444
January 23, 2002......................................... 454
January 24, 2002......................................... 468
January 25, 2002......................................... 478
January 26-28, 2002...................................... 502
January 29, 2002......................................... 525
January 30, 2002......................................... 539
January 31, 2002......................................... 550
February 1, 2002......................................... 563
February 2-4, 2002....................................... 578
February 5, 2002......................................... 590
February 6, 2002......................................... 595
February 7, 2002......................................... 601
February 8, 2002......................................... 619
February 9-11, 2002...................................... 631
February 12, 2002........................................ 646
February 13, 2002........................................ 662
February 14, 2002........................................ 679
February 15, 2002........................................ 703
February 16-19, 2002..................................... 721
February 20, 2002........................................ 736
February 21, 2002........................................ 750
February 22, 2002........................................ 766
February 23-25, 2002..................................... 785
February 26, 2002........................................ 795
February 27, 2002........................................ 815
February 28, 2002........................................ 818
March 1-4, 2002.......................................... 821
March 5, 2002............................................ 830
March 6, 2002............................................ 850
March 7, 2002............................................ 882
March 8-11, 2002......................................... 955
March 12, 2002........................................... 977
March 13, 2002........................................... 993
March 14, 2002........................................... 1020
March 15-19, 2002........................................ 1052
March 21, 2002........................................... 1086
March 22, 2002........................................... 1100
March 23-25, 2002........................................ 1113
March 26, 2002........................................... 1124
March 27, 2002........................................... 1136
March 28, 2002........................................... 1153
March 29-April 1, 2002................................... 1172
April 2, 2002............................................ 1183
April 3, 2002............................................ 1204
April 4, 2002............................................ 1255
April 5-8, 2002.......................................... 1280
April 9, 2002............................................ 1304
April 10, 2002........................................... 1315
April 11, 2002........................................... 1331
April 12-16, 2002........................................ 1375
April 17, 2002........................................... 1405
April 18, 2002........................................... 1445
April 19, 2002........................................... 1454
April 20-22, 2002........................................ 1477
Attachment 4, Personal Safety & Health Protection
Recommendations for Search and Rescue Personnel............ 1489
Attachment 5, Asbestos Hazards and Precautions............... 1489
Attachment 6, EPA Press Release, September 13, 2001; EPA
Response to September 11, EPA Initiates Emergency Response
Activities, Reassures Public About Environmental Hazards... 1490
Attachment 7, EPA Press Release, September 14, 2001; EPA
Response to September 11, EPA Emergency Responses at World
Trade Center and Pentagon.................................. 1491
Attachment 8, EPA Press Release, September 18, 2001; EPA
Response to September 11, Whitman Details Ongoing Agency
Efforts to Monitor Disaster Sites, Contribute to Cleanup
Efforts.................................................... 1491
Attachment 9, EPA Press Release, September 21, 2001; EPA
Response to September 11, NYC Monitoring Efforts Continue
to Show Safe Drinking Water & Air.......................... 1493
Attachment 10, EPA Press Release, September 21, 2001; EPA
Response to September 11, EPA and OSHA Web Sites Provide
Environmental Monitoring Data From World Trade Center and
Surrounding Areas.......................................... 1494
Attachment 11, Letter to Kelly R. McKinney, Associate
Commissioner, Bureau of Regulatory and Environmental Health
Services from Bruce Sprague, Chief, Response and Prevention
Branch, Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2, Edison,
NY......................................................... 1496
Attachment 12, Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2,
News Release, October 30, 2001, Environmental Monitoring
Data Related to the World Trade Center Disaster Response
Available to Public........................................ 1496
Attachment 13, Indoor Air Samples at 290 Broadway and 26
Federal Plaza on September 13 and at 100 Church Street on
October 23................................................. 1498
Attachment 14, Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2,
News Release, March 25, 2002, Federal, State and City
Agencies Announce Actions for Lower Manhattan Air Quality.. 1500
[GRAPHICS NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
ATTACHMENT 4
Environmental Protection Agency
EPA Personal Safety & Health Protection Recommendations for Search and
Rescue Personnel
personal protection equipment (ppe)
All personnel in the work area should wear the following:
Hard hats.
Steel-toed/heavy duty work shoes.
Long pants and long sleeve work shirts.
Safety glasses/eye protection.
Respiratory protection.
Ground zero: Approved respirator (P-100 or equivalent).
Other areas: Dust mask (N-100/R-100 or equivalent).
work area safety concerns
Watch surroundings at all times.
Be alert for materials and debris that may fall from
damaged buildings.
Cap and secure unused pressurized cylinders.
As far as practical, try to keep the generation of dusts
to a minimum.
Use the buddy system.
work area health concerns
Clean respirators and eye wear as frequently as possible.
No consumption of foods that have not been covered or
properly sealed.
When leaving work area:
Dust off clothing.
Clean or scrape off shoes.
Wash hands and face.
heavy equipment operations
Stand clear of operating equipment and vehicles.
Avoid entering crane swing radius.
Use tag lines when lifting loads.
Use spotter during lifting operations and for personnel
safety in area (no lifting over personnel/equipment).
All equipment operators wear proper PPE when leaving
equipment (see above).
Be cautious of operating speeds in work areas and
especially when leaving the area.
Recommend speeds no faster than 10 mph until outside hazard
areas.
emergency signals
Immediately Stop Work/Evaluate Area: Three (3) repeated
short blasts of siren/air horn.
Stop Work/Remain Silent: One (1) long blast of siren/air
horn.
Restart Work: One (1) long and two (2) short blasts of
siren/air horns.
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ATTACHMENT 5
Asbestos Hazards and Precautions
In response to the World Trade Center devastation, concerns have
been raised with breathing asbestos-contaminated material and
irritation from skin and eye contact. Asbestos was likely used in
various construction materials used to build the World Trade Center.
Short-term exposure to asbestos can cause respiratory, skin, or eye
irritation. These symptoms can also be experienced from contact with
non-asbestos dust, such as a concrete particulate debris.
For the public the best response is to remain indoors with windows
shut if possible. For emergency workers air purifying respirators
should be used when available but paper filament masks will provide
sufficient protection under minimal exposure conditions.
Cleanup workers should be protected with appropriate eye
protection, air purifying respirators and personal protective clothing,
such as TYVEKs, to prevent skin irritation. Workers should practice
basic decontamination procedures, such as washing hands and faces. To
minimize air-borne contamination, debris should be misted or sprayed
with water during cleanup operations.
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ATTACHMENT 6
EPA Press Release: EPA Response to September 11
September 13, 2001
epa initiates emergency response activities, reassures public about
environmental hazards
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman
today announced that EPA is taking steps to ensure the safety of rescue
workers and the public at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon
disaster sites, and to protect the environment. EPA is working with
State, Federal, and local agencies to monitor and respond to potential
environmental hazards and minimize any environmental effects of the
disasters and their aftermath.
At the request of the New York City Department of Health, EPA and
the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) have been on the scene at the World Trade Center
monitoring exposure to potentially contaminated dust and debris.
Monitoring and sampling conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday have been
very reassuring about potential exposure of rescue crews and the public
to environmental contaminants.
EPA's primary concern is to ensure that rescue workers and the
public are not exposed to elevated levels of asbestos, acidic gases or
other contaminants from the debris. Sampling of ambient air quality
found either no asbestos or very low levels of asbestos. Sampling of
bulk materials and dust found generally low levels of asbestos.
The levels of lead, asbestos and volatile organic compounds in air
samples taken on Tuesday in Brooklyn, downwind from the World Trade
Center site, were not detectable or not of concern.
Additional sampling of both ambient air quality and dust particles
was conducted Wednesday night in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, and
results were uniformly acceptable.
``EPA is greatly relieved to have learned that there appears to be
no significant levels of asbestos dust in the air in New York City,''
said Administrator Whitman. ``We are working closely with rescue crews
to ensure that all appropriate precautions are taken. We will continue
to monitor closely.''
Public health concerns about asbestos contamination are primarily
related to long-term exposure. Short-term, low-level exposure of the
type that might have been produced by the collapse of the World Trade
Center buildings is unlikely to cause significant health effects. EPA
and OSHA will work closely with rescue and cleanup crews to minimize
their potential exposure, but the general public should be very
reassured by initial sampling.
EPA and OSHA will continue to monitor and sample for asbestos, and
will work with the appropriate officials to ensure that rescue workers,
cleanup crews and the general public are properly informed about
appropriate steps that should be taken to ensure proper handling,
transportation and disposal of potentially contaminated debris or
materials.
EPA is taking steps to ensure that response units implement
appropriate engineering controls to minimize environmental hazards,
such as water sprays and rinsing to prevent or minimize potential
exposure and limit releases of potential contaminants beyond the debris
site.
EPA is also conducting downwind sampling for potential chemical and
asbestos releases from the World Trade Center debris site. In addition,
EPA has deployed Federal On-Scene Coordinators to the Washington, DC
Emergency Operations Center, Fort Meade, and FEMA's alternate Regional
Operations Center in Pennsylvania, and has deployed an On-Scene
Coordinator to the Virginia Emergency Operations Center.
Under its response authority, EPA will use all available resources
and staff experts to facilitate a safe emergency response and cleanup.
EPA will work with other involved agencies as needed to:
procure and distribute respiratory and eye protection
equipment in cooperation with the Department of Health and Human
Services;
provide health and safety training upon request;
design and implement a site monitoring plan;
provide technical assistance for site control and
decontamination; and
provide some 3000 asbestos respirators, 60 self-contained
breathing apparatuses and 10,000 protective clothing suits to the two
disaster sites.
New York Governor George E. Pataki has promised to provide
emergency electric generators to New York City in efforts to restore
lost power caused by Tuesday's tragedy, and EPA will work with State
authorities to expedite any necessary permits for those generators.
OSHA is also working with Consolidated Edison regarding safety
standards for employees who are digging trenches because of leaking gas
lines underground. OSHA has advised Con Edison to provide its employees
with appropriate respirators so they can proceed with emergency work,
shutting off gas leaks in the city.
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ATTACHMENT 7
EPA Press Release: EPA Response to September 11
September 14, 2001
epa emergency responses at world trade center and pentagon
After terrorists struck the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on
September 11, 2001, 26 EPA specialists were on the scene within hours.
Currently, more than 225 EPA experts are responding to the WTC and
Pentagon disasters. EPA criminal investigators, forensic and technical
specialists and emergency response experts are providing support to
FEMA, the FBI and local emergency officials. EPA is one of many Federal
agencies responsible for responding to this national crisis.
The primary mission of EPA's Emergency Response Program is to
protect the public and the environment from immediate threats posed by
the release or discharge of hazardous substances and oil. Emergency
response personnel are monitoring potential air quality issues;
analyzing samples for asbestos and other hazardous materials and oil
sampling; and disposing of biomedical waste. EPA has worked with the
State of New York and Virginia to waive landfill amount requirements to
expedite the removal of debris from the scenes.
EPA has initially budgeted $600,000 to provide technical assistance
and response support. More than 3,000 respirators, 60 self-contained
breathing apparatus machines, and 10,000 specially-equipped protective
suits are on the way to these disaster sites. EPA is working closely
with Federal, State, and local partners to ensure that all workers and
volunteers involved in the rescue and cleanup efforts are properly
protected.
EPA Region 2 emergency response staff are also stationed at the FBI
Joint Operations Center in New York City, Trenton, New Jersey Emergency
Operations Center, and FEMA's office in Albany, NY. Region 2's Edison,
NJ office is also providing work space for 100 FEMA employees. EPA HQ
Emergency Operations Center is operating on a 24-hour basis, while R3
has emergency responders deployed to Washington, DC., Ft. Meade and at
the Willow Grove Naval Air Station in Pennsylvania.
EPA will continue to coordinate with our Federal partners to ensure
the health and safety of the public and the environment during this
national crisis.
More information is available at: EPA's Environmental Response Team
Center, EPA's Oil Spill Program, and EPA's Superfund Program.
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ATTACHMENT 8
EPA Press Release: EPA Response to September 11
September 18, 2001
whitman details ongoing agency efforts to monitor disaster sites,
contribute to cleanup efforts
EPA Administrator Christie Whitman announced today that results
from the Agency's air and drinking water monitoring near the World
Trade Center and Pentagon disaster sites indicate that these vital
resources are safe. Whitman also announced that EPA has been given up
to $83 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to
support EPA's involvement in cleanup activities and ongoing monitoring
of environmental conditions in both the New York City and Washington
metropolitan areas following last week's terrorist attacks on the World
Trade Center and the Pentagon.
``We are very encouraged that the results from our monitoring of
air quality and drinking water conditions in both New York and near the
Pentagon show that the public in these areas is not being exposed to
excessive levels of asbestos or other harmful substances,'' Whitman
said. ``Given the scope of the tragedy from last week, I am glad to
reassure the people of New York and Washington, DC that their air is
safe to breath and their water is safe to drink,'' she added.
In the aftermath of last Tuesday's attacks, EPA has worked closely
with State, Federal and local authorities to provide expertise on
cleanup methods for hazardous materials, as well as to detect whether
any contaminants are found in ambient air quality monitoring, sampling
of drinking water sources and sampling of runoff near the disaster
sites.
At the request of FEMA, EPA has been involved in the cleanup and
site monitoring efforts, working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard, the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) and State and local organizations.
EPA has conducted repeated monitoring of ambient air at the site of
the World Trade Center and in the general Wall Street district of
Manhattan, as well as in Brooklyn. The Agency is planning to perform
air monitoring in the surrounding New York metropolitan area. EPA has
established 10 continuous (stationary) air monitoring stations near the
WTC site. Thus far, from 50 air samples taken, the vast majority of
results are either non-detectable or below established levels of
concern for asbestos, lead and volatile organic compounds. The highest
levels of asbestos have been detected within one-half block of Ground
Zero, where rescuers have been provided with appropriate protective
equipment.
In Lower Manhattan, the City of New York has also been involved in
efforts to clean anything coated with debris dust resulting from
Tuesday's destruction. This involves spraying water over buildings,
streets and sidewalks to wash the accumulated dust off the building and
eliminate the possibility that materials would become airborne. To
complement this clean-up effort, EPA has performed 62 dust sample
analyses for the presence of asbestos and other substances. Most dust
samples fall below EPA's definition of ``asbestos containing material''
(one percent asbestos). Where samples have shown greater than 1 percent
asbestos, EPA has operated its 10 High Efficiency Particulate
Arresting, HEPA, vacuum trucks to clean the area and then resample. EPA
also used the 10 HEPA vac trucks to clean streets and sidewalks in the
Financial District in preparation for Monday's return to business. The
Agency plans to use HEPA vac trucks to clean the lobbies of the five
Federal buildings near the World Trade Center site, and to clean the
streets outside of New York's City Hall.
Drinking water in Manhattan was tested at 13 sampling points, in
addition to one test at the Newtown Sewage Treatment plant and pump
station. Initial results of this drinking water sampling show that
levels of asbestos are well below EPA's levels of concern.
While FEMA has provided EPA with a Total Project Ceiling cost of
slightly more than $83 million for the Agency's cleanup efforts in New
York City and in at the Pentagon site, EPA currently is working with
emergency funding of $23.7 million. If costs exceed this level, FEMA
will authorize EPA to tap additional funding in increments of $15
million. As part of the additional funding to be provided by FEMA, EPA
will be responsible for any hazardous waste disposal, general site
safety and providing sanitation facilities for many of the search and
rescue workers to wash the dust off following their shifts. EPA is
coordinating with both the U.S. Air Force Center for Environmental
Excellence and the U.S. Coast Guard to quickly implement these
additional responsibilities to ensure that search and rescue personnel
are provided with the maximum support and protection from hazardous
materials that may be found during their mission.
At the Pentagon explosion site in Arlington, VA, EPA has also been
involved in a variety of monitoring of air and water quality. All
ambient air monitoring results, both close to the crash site and in the
general vicinity, have shown either no detection of asbestos or levels
that fall well below the Agency's level of concern. Testing of runoff
water from the disaster site does not show elevated levels of
contaminants. Given the large numbers of Department of Defense (DOD)
employees returning to work this week, EPA has worked closely with
officials from DOD and from the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) to evaluate air and drinking water quality and to
be certain that the workplace environment will be safe.
While careful not to impede the search, rescue and cleanup efforts
at either the World Trade Center or the Pentagon disaster sites, EPA's
primary concern has been to ensure that rescue workers and the public
are not being exposed to elevated levels of potentially hazardous
contaminants in the dust and debris, especially where practical
solutions are available to reduce exposure. EPA has assisted efforts to
provide dust masks to rescue workers to minimize inhalation of dust.
EPA also recommends that the blast site debris continue to be kept wet,
which helps to significantly reduce the amount of airborne dust which
can aggravate respiratory ailments such as asthma. On-site facilities
are being made available for rescue workers to clean themselves, change
their clothing and to have dust-laden clothes cleaned separately from
normal household wash.
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ATTACHMENT 9
EPA Press Release: EPA Response to September 11
September 21, 2001
nyc monitoring efforts continue to show safe drinking water & air
EPA Administrator Christie Whitman announced today that the most
detailed results to date of ongoing monitoring of drinking water in New
York City provide additional reassurance that city residents are not
being exposed to dangerous contaminants including asbestos, radiation,
mercury and other metals, pesticides, PCBs and bacteria.
``As we continue to monitor drinking water in and around New York
City, and as EPA gets more comprehensive analysis of this monitoring
data, I am relieved to be able to reassure New York and New Jersey
residents that a host of potential contaminants are either not
detectable or are below the Agency's concern levels,'' Whitman said.
``Results we have just received on drinking water quality show that not
only is asbestos not detectable, but also we can not detect any
bacterial contamination, PCBs or pesticides,'' she continued.
Whitman confirmed that EPA personnel, working in coordination with
the New York City Department of Environmental Protection at and around
the World Trade Center disaster site, have thus far taken a total of 13
drinking water samples from water mains in Lower Manhattan. In addition
to analyzing the samples for asbestos, pesticides and PCBs
(polychlorinated biphenyls, which are mixtures of synthetic organic
chemicals), EPA has also tested drinking water for metals (including
mercury), and radioactivity (both alpha and beta). None of these
contaminants exceeded EPA drinking water standards.
``In addition to carefully evaluating drinking water in the New
York area, EPA has taken samples at the Newtown Creek Wastewater
Treatment Plant, where runoff from Lower Manhattan goes for treatment,
to identify what sort of materials are leaving the disaster site,''
Whitman continued. ``While we haven't yet gotten results for all
possible contaminants, we do know that levels of metals and mercury are
below permit discharge limits,'' she noted. However, Whitman did state
that ``following one rainstorm with particularly high runoff, we did
have one isolated detection of slightly elevated levels of PCBs. This
is something that we are continuing to monitor very closely.'' Other
analysis of monitoring data taken at Newtown Creek treatment plant
shows that total suspended solids and biochemical oxygen demand, common
indicators of how well a wastewater treatment plant is operating,
indicate that the plant is working within permit limits. The Agency
will continue to collect water samples at storm water discharge points
when it rains and to fully analyze the samples for asbestos, PCBs,
metals and total suspended solids.
Whitman elaborated on the repeated monitoring of ambient air both
at the World Trade Center disaster site and the surrounding area. To
date the Agency has taken 97 air samples from 11 separate fixed
monitoring sites in and around the ``hot zone'' and elsewhere in Lower
Manhattan, and four fixed monitoring sites located in New Jersey
downwind from the blast. Only seven samples taken at or near Ground
Zero have had marginally higher levels of asbestos that exceed EPA's
level of concern. All rescue workers in this restricted-access area are
being provided with appropriate safety equipment. Ambient air
monitoring in the Financial District, where this week people have
returned to work, show levels of asbestos that are below Agency levels
of concern. Four samples taken specifically to identify if mercury is
present resulted in non-detectable readings. On September 19, EPA also
took readings of outdoor air at numerous locations around Ground Zero
for chemicals including hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. All readings indicated that
levels were normal and posed no public health concern. All air samples
taken in New Jersey have shown no detectable levels of asbestos
whatsoever.
EPA has set up eight air monitors at the Fresh Kills Landfill on
Staten Island, where debris from the collapsed World Trade Center
towers is being sent for criminal and forensic analysis, and eventual
disposal. Initial results show no detectable levels of asbestos. The
Agency will continue to operate these air monitors at the landfill and
will test for asbestos and for particulate matter.
Whitman detailed dust sampling undertaken thus far at the World
Trade Center site, and confirmed that EPA has done a total of 101 dust
samples, of which 37 were slightly over the 1 percent asbestos (the
amount above which material is considered asbestos-containing). EPA has
continued to use its 10 High Efficiency Particulate Arresting (HEPA)
filter vacuum trucks, especially in areas where dust samples show any
elevated levels of asbestos. Of the 16 samples taken in the Battery
Park City area, a residential community within two blocks of the
disaster site, 12 showed slightly elevated levels of asbestos. After
using the HEPA Vac trucks to clean streets and surfaces in Battery Park
City, repeat sampling in the area showed asbestos levels that fall
below concern amounts. EPA will continue to monitor this area. The HEPA
Vac trucks were also used to vacuum lobbies of Federal buildings near
the disaster site prior to having workers return.
Monitoring and cleanup efforts also continue at the Pentagon crash
site. To date, EPA has taken 140 total samples, including ambient air
samples, bulk debris analysis, silica and water discharge samples.
Monitoring samples have been analyzed for asbestos and other hazardous
materials.
__________
ATTACHMENT 10
EPA Response to September 11
EPA and OSHA Web Sites Provide Environmental Monitoring Data From World
Trade Center and Surrounding Areas
data confirms no significant public health risks; rescue crews and
nearby residents should take appropriate precautions data through
september 30, 2001
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christie
Whitman and U.S. Department of Labor Assistant Secretary for
Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) John Henshaw announced today that
both Federal agencies are providing the public with extensive
additional environmental monitoring data from the World Trade Center
site and nearby areas in Manhattan, Brooklyn and New Jersey. Both
agencies have taken hundreds of samples to monitor environmental
conditions since September 11th, and have found no evidence of any
significant public health hazard to residents, visitors or workers
beyond the immediate World Trade Center area.
In response to public requests for more detailed information, EPA
and OSHA are making the results of environmental and occupational
sampling available on their sites on the World Wide Web (www.epa.gov
and www.osha.gov), and will post additional data as it becomes
available.
EPA and 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. They have found no evidence
of any significant public health hazard to residents or visitors to the
New York metropolitan area.
``EPA's website now has more detailed information on environmental
monitoring information in New York City that should be very reassuring
to residents, tourists and workers, and we will continue to update that
site with information as it becomes available'' said EPA Administrator
Whitman. ``Our data show that contaminant levels are low or
nonexistent, and are generally confined to the Trade Center site. There
is no need for concern among the general public, but residents and
business owners should follow recommended procedures for cleaning up
homes and businesses if dust has entered.''
OSHA Administrator John Henshaw confirmed that workers on the site
should take appropriate steps to protect themselves, but there is no
threat to public health. ``We have more than 200 staffers involved in a
round-the-clock effort, continually monitoring conditions to ensure the
safety and health of workers,'' Administrator Henshaw said. ``It is
important for workers involved in the recovery and clean up to wear
protective equipment as potential hazards and conditions are constantly
changing at the site; however, our samples indicate there is no
evidence of significant levels of airborne asbestos or other
contaminants beyond the disaster site itself.''
On the whole, despite questions about potential contaminants from
the Trade Center site, EPA and OSHA data indicates there is no cause
for general public concern. Residents and workers returning to
buildings where dust from the Trade Center has entered the building
should follow proper procedures in cleaning buildings, but the general
public should feel very reassured about the extensive environmental
monitoring data that has been collected and analyzed. Rescue and
recovery crews working on the Trade Center site should take steps to
protect themselves from potential exposure to contaminants by using
respirators and washing stations as recommended by EPA and OSHA.
In total, EPA and OSHA have taken 835 ambient air samples in the
New York City metropolitan area. EPA is currently collecting data from
16 fixed air monitors at Ground Zero and in the residential and
business districts around the site, and both EPA and OSHA are using
portable sampling equipment to collect data from a range of locations
throughout the area.
Out of a total of 442 air samples EPA has taken at Ground Zero and
in the immediate area, only 27 had levels of asbestos above the
standard EPA uses to determine if children can re-enter a school after
asbestos has been removed a stringent standard based upon assumptions
of long-term exposure. OSHA has analyzed 67 air samples from the same
area, and all were below the OSHA workplace standard for asbestos.
All 54 air samples from EPA's four monitors in New Jersey found no
levels above EPA's standard. Another 162 samples were taken from EPA's
monitors at the Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island, where debris
from the World Trade Center is being taken; only two exceeded EPA's
standard.
Of 177 bulk dust and debris samples collected by EPA and OSHA and
analyzed for asbestos, 48 had levels over 1 percent, the level EPA and
OSHA use to define asbestos-containing material. Although early samples
from water runoff into the Hudson and East Rivers showed some elevated
levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxin, asbestos and
metals, recent results find non-detectable levels of asbestos, and PCBs
and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals below the level
of concern.
EPA and OSHA have also conducted sampling for the presence of
metals (lead, iron oxide, zinc oxide, copper and beryllium) at Ground
Zero and in surrounding areas. None of the levels of these metals have
exceeded OSHA limits.
Although EPA has measured dioxin levels in and around the World
Trade Center site that were at or above EPA's level for taking action,
the risk from dioxin is based on long-term exposure. EPA and OSHA
expect levels to diminish as soon as the remaining fires on the site
are extinguished.
Of the 36 samples of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) taken around
Ground Zero to assist response workers in determining the appropriate
level of respiratory protection, several samples have been above the
OSHA standard for workers. None presented an immediate risk to workers,
and the levels are expected to decline when the fires are out.
Fact sheets with more specific information for various parts of the
New York City metropolitan area are available:
Environmental Information from Ground Zero at the World
Trade Center Site.
Environmental Information from Lower Manhattan for
Residents, Area.
Employees and Local Business Owners.
Other Environmental Issues Related to the Attack on the
World Trade Center.
latest available daily environmental monitoring summary
Resources on the World Wide Web:
U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health
Administration.
New York City Department of Health.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
ATTACHMENT 11
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2,
Edison, NY, October 5, 2001.
Mr. Kelly R. McKinney, Associate Commissioner,
Bureau of Regulatory and Environmental Health Services,
New York, NY.
Dear Mr. McKinney: Health and safety concerns for workers as the
World Trade Center Disaster Site (WTC) has been a concern from the
beginning of the response. In addition to standard construction/
demolition site safety concerns, this Site also poses threats to
workers related to potential exposure to hazardous substances. Sources
of hazardous substances include (1) building materials from the
destroyed buildings (primarily asbestos), (2) hazardous materials that
were stored in the buildings (refrigerants, hazardous wastes, ethylene
glycol, compressed gas cylinders, etc.), and (3) products of combustion
being emitted from the fires that continue to burn within the debris
piles. EPA, along with a number of other Federal, State and your
agency, has been gathering information about these threats to worker
health. Air sampling by EPA and others indicates that asbestos and
other contaminants are present in the air at the WTC. EPA has
recommended, and continues to recommend, that workers at the Site were
respiratory protection.
In addition, EPA has recommended, and continues to recommend, that
workers utilize personal protective equipment and the personnel wash
stations to prevent the spread of asbestos and other hazardous
substances from the WTC to their homes, cars, public transportation,
food service, locations, etc. We have observed very inconsistent
compliance with our recommendations, however, we do not have authority
to enforce the worker health and safety policies for non-EPA/USCG
employees. Therefore, EPA believes the Incident Commander should adopt
and enforce a site-wide Health and Safety Plan. If there is anything I
can do to assist you concerning this matter, please feel free to call
me at (732) 321-6656.
Sincerely yours,
Bruce Sprague, Chief,
Response and Prevention Branch.
__________
ATTACHMENT 12
U.S. EPA Region 2
NEWS
EPA Environmental Monitoring Data Related to the World Trade Center
Disaster Response Available to Public
epa invites public to new information repository in lower manhattan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, October 30, 2001
(#01132) NEW YORK, NY--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has
established an information repository containing environmental
monitoring data gathered in response to the World Trade Center
disaster. The information is available at the EPA library located at
290 Broadway in Lower Manhattan, which is the location of the agency's
regional offices.
EPA began its environmental monitoring work on September 11th,
shortly after the terrorist attacks occurred. Since then, the Agency
has done extensive sampling and analysis of air quality and dust
throughout Lower Manhattan and other potentially impacted areas,
including Brooklyn, Staten Island and northern New Jersey. EPA also
gathered data on drinking water and river water and sediments. All of
this data is updated Monday through Friday and is available at EPA's
regional library located on the 16th Floor at 290 Broadway in Lower
Manhattan. The library is open to the public Monday through Thursday
from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
``We continue to closely monitor air quality and other
environmental conditions in and around Ground Zero,'' said William J.
Muszynski, EPA Acting Regional Administrator. ``While we have
fortunately not found levels of contaminants that pose a significant
health risk to the general public, our efforts to monitor the area and
keep the public informed of our findings have not waned. We welcome all
concerned members of the public to our Lower Manhattan offices to
review the information we've gathered and to visit our Web site.''
Much of EPA's monitoring data, including data maps and general
environmental summaries, is available at EPA's Web site at www.epa.gov.
[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
ATTACHMENT 14
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2
News
FOR RELEASE: Monday, March 25, 2002
federal, state and city agencies announce actions for lower manhattan
air quality
(#02114) New York, NY.--Today the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), along with New York City and other Federal and State agencies,
announced additional actions to address outdoor and indoor air quality.
As part of the overall effort to continue to protect air quality, DEP
will remove residual debris from rooftops and facades with EPA's
guidance. OSHA will work in a coordinated effort with the City and EPA
to ensure the safety and health of the workers performing this
cleaning.
EPA and New York City will expand the program to remove residual
debris from rooftops and facades around the World Trade Center site. In
addition, agencies will work to build on an indoor air study conducted
in November and December. These actions are a result of the
collaborative efforts of the EPA Administrator Christie Whitman's Task
Force on Indoor Air and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Lower
Manhattan Air Quality Task Force.
``Actions speak louder than words, and these actions will help
increase confidence about outdoor and indoor air quality,'' said Jane
Kenny, EPA Regional Administrator. ``We have been working hand-in-hand
with the city to resolve the public's health concerns.''
``I am extremely pleased that EPA continues to work with the City
to address concerns regarding air quality in Lower Manhattan,'' said
incoming DEP Commissioner Christopher Ward.
Tests conducted since September 11th have indicated that there is
no evidence of significant long-term health risks to residents and
office workers from the air quality in Lower Manhattan. Inspectors from
the City and EPA have surveyed area rooftops and facades identifying
buildings where residual debris remains. As removal of debris from the
World Trade Center site nears completion, city, State and Federal
agencies are committed to continuing to protect and improve the
downtown environment.
City, State and Federal health and environmental agencies are
working collaboratively to continue to assess the cleaning that was
conducted and determine testing criteria. Building on earlier tests,
EPA will conduct field work to assess cleanup techniques and provide
information for ongoing cleaning. The Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry, with support from the New York City Department of
Health and EPA, is planning to expand the indoor air study conducted in
December 2001.
As these projects are developed, the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) will fund components that are eligible under its
programs. As the agency responsible for coordinating Federal assistance
in support of the city's long-term recovery efforts, FEMA is working
closely with all concerned agencies.
Both the EPA and New York City Task Forces will work cooperatively
to continue to protect air quality. The Lower Manhattan Air Quality
Hotline (212-221-8635) will continue to be the principal point of
information dissemination to businesses, residents and visitors
regarding air quality and environmental issues in and around the World
Trade Center site. The City's Task Force will also coordinate
additional community outreach and local initiatives as part of the
broader effort to build public confidence in the downtown environment.
For more information, call the City's Lower Manhattan Air Quality
Hotline at 212-221-8635 between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through
Friday. In addition, information can be found on: EPA's Web site at:
www.epa.gov; OSHA's Web site at: www.osha.gov; NYC DOH's Web site at:
www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/doh/home.htm; and NYCDEDP's Web site at:
www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/airmonit.html.