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World Trade Center Background Study Report
Interim Final (April 2003)

RESIDENTIAL DUST CLEANUP PROGRAM
(This Program Ended in 2003)

MESSAGE CENTER
(212) 637-3435

TESTING RESULTS DATA

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Mold Information From NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene:exit EPA

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Summary

Background | Results

The September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center (WTC) and the subsequent collapse of the Twin Towers left wide areas of lower Manhattan covered in dust and debris. Residential units throughout the area were impacted in varying degrees related to their proximity to the disaster site.

EPA identified a range of contaminants of potential concern in the WTC dust. To accurately assess indoor conditions in lower Manhattan, more detailed information about the presence of these contaminants in indoor environments not directly impacted by the WTC collapse was needed. Below are the results of EPA’s WTC Background Study. Results from this study cannot account for the variability in indoor environments (i.e., cross contamination from outdoors to indoors, personal habits and level of cleanliness).

Background

The objective of the Background Study was to determine levels of selected contaminants in indoor environments north of 77th Street in Manhattan. These included:

How EPA selected these contaminants is discussed in detail in the report "World Trade Center Indoor Air Assessment: Selecting Contaminants of Potential Concern and Setting Health-Based Benchmarks."

Sampling was conducted in fourteen residential buildings not directly impacted by the airborne dust plume that emanated from the WTC site. When possible, samples were collected from two residential units and from one common area, such as the lobby, hallway, stairwell, or building laundry facility in each building. In total EPA sampled twenty-five residential units and nine common areas within the fourteen buildings. Results of the Background Study are discussed in general terms and are not specific to the units sampled.

Results

The data collected from this study, provides estimates of background concentrations for compounds that were identified as contaminants of potential concern related to the World Trade Center collapse. The estimates were shown to be consistent with other background studies and historical data, where comparison data were available.

Related Documents

For more information on this page, contact the WTC Message Center, (212) 637-3435.

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