Cleaning & Testing Fact Sheet

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:

[Note: Detailed and technical information is available in the Scopes of Work for Monitoring and Cleaning.]

Overview

People living south of Canal, Allen and Pike Streets in lower Manhattan who were concerned that dust from the collapse of the World Trade Center were still present in their residences could have request assistance from EPA. Assistance offered included the cleanup and testing of homes for airborne asbestos or testing only. The program was voluntary. While EPA worked with building owners and tenant groups to coordinate all cleaning within a building, occupants of each unit were to specifically request cleanup assistance.

Cleanup work were conducted by contractors and workers (the Cleanup Contractor) certified by New York State and New York City. Separate, third-party contractors, also licensed by New York State, oversaw the cleanup work and will conduct all testing (the Project Monitor). Further direct oversight were provided by EPA personnel. All personnel involved in this program carried appropriate photo identification.

The Project Monitor contacted residents requesting assistance to confirm and schedule cleanup and testing. The Project Monitor had access to a translation service to assist with the process for those whose primary language was not English. There were three phases to the actual work:

Pre-cleaning inspection
Cleaning
Testing

Owners and managers of residential buildings and coop boards could have requested to have their building's common areas cleaned and HVAC system evaluated and cleaned, if necessary. After receiving the request, common areas such as the building lobby, hallways, stairways and elevator interiors were leaned. Other common areas, including laundry rooms, utility rooms, compactor rooms, and elevator shafts were evaluated and cleaned as needed.

Pre-Cleaning Inspection

During a pre-cleaning inspection for an individual residence, the Project Monitor met with the occupant(s) to assess conditions, discuss procedures and testing options, determine any special concerns or needs, and answer questions. The Project Monitor obtained written access and authorization, and scheduled the cleaning work. Residents were given information about preparing for cleaning including the handling of valuable personal items, the presence of pets, etc. The Project Monitor discussed the level of cleanup required (see below) and resident's options for post-cleanup testing.

Damage to a building as a result of the WTC collapse may have resulted in the growth of mold in apartments. As part of the Cleaning Program, the Project Monitor contacted the New York City Department of Health (NYC DOH) if mold was observed in a residence or residential building. The NYC DOH then contacted the building owner to provide recommendations on how to address the affected areas. Further information regarding mold can be found in the NYC DOH fact sheet entitled "Facts About Mold."

If the Project Monitor identified the presence of potential friable asbestos type insulation in areas requested to be cleaned, this was reported to NYCDEP for evaluation and appropriate follow up action. Likewise, if the Project Monitor identified potential peeling, flaking or chalking paint, the NYCDOH was notified for evaluation and appropriate followup action.

Cleaning

Following the assessment, the Project Monitor determined the appropriate cleanup approach. Most residences were addressed under EPA's "Scope A" cleanup. Residences (typically unoccupied) where there were still significant amounts of WTC dust and/or debris was dealt with under EPA's "Scope B" cleanup which adds precautions to require further worker protection and techniques to minimize spreading of possible contamination while removing the dust/debris. Where localized accumulations of WTC dust were found in a residence which otherwise has minimal dust (i.e., between windows, inside air conditioners), these areas were addressed under a Scope B cleanup, wherein the areas containing the dust were isolated from the remainder of the residence prior to removal. Residents (or their representatives) may have been present (but did not had to be) during Scope A cleanings but were prepared for noise and disruption. Residents were not to be present during Scope B cleanings, unless the Scope B cleanup applied to only parts of the residence. In most cases, cleaning operations were to have taken no more than two days.

In a Scope B cleanup, the areas containing dust and/or debris were sealed off and exhaust fans equipped with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters were used to lower the air pressure within the sealed off area so that no dust escapes. Dust and debris were bagged and sealed for removal. Workers wore protective gear and residents were within the sealed off area. Scope B work could have applied to an entire residence or to portions of a residence where remnants of bulk dust were discovered.

In a Scope A cleanup, all horizontal hard surfaces, including floors, ceilings, ledges, trims, furnishings, appliances, equipment, etc., were HEPA vacuumed and wet wiped. Vertical and soft surfaces were HEPA vacuumed two times. Dry sweeping is prohibited. A detailed description of the minimum cleaning requirements is listed below. (Field experience may require modification of these procedures.)

Terraces, balconies, exterior window sills, window wells and window guards that were accessible from the interior of the dwelling, were cleaned.
Interior windows, screens, window sills and window guards were cleaned.
Vacuuming began with the ceiling, continue down the walls and include the floor.
Impermeable walls and floors were wet wiped using disposable wipes, after consultation with and approval by owner. Wet wiping were not conducted if it was determined that it would cause damage to the surface.
Curtains, fabric window treatments, upholstery and other materials that could not be cleaned by wet wiping were HEPA vacuumed two times. Fabric covered furniture were vacuumed using a stiff brush attachment.
Carpets cleaned with a water extraction cleaner equipped with a motorized agitator brush. Water extraction cleaning were not conducted if it was determined that it would cause damage to the carpet.
Paperwork and books were HEPA vacuumed.
Electrical outlets were vacuumed.
Window air conditioners were vacuumed then removed from their position and vacuumed internally. Filters were HEPA vacuumed and reinstalled. Air conditioners were reinstalled after cleaning.
Intake/discharge registers of HVAC systems (if present) were removed/cleaned. The first foot of duct work were also be vacuumed, then the register were reinstalled and covered with plastic.
Appliances such as refrigerators and stoves were cleaned and moved. The floor footprint of the appliances were cleaned and the appliance were reinstalled in its original position.
Refrigerator cooling tubes were brushed and vacuumed.
Stove exhaust fan filters were cleaned.
The first foot of all exhaust duct work (including stove, dryer and bathroom vents) were vacuumed. Exhaust fans were vacuumed and wiped.
Closet floors were vacuumed.
Solid objects (electrical equipment, exercise equipment, etc.) were wet wiped, moved to allow cleaning of the underlying surface and were returned to their original location.
Dishwasher toe plates were removed and the floor beneath the appliance were cleaned.
Baseboard heaters were cleaned. Protective covers on finned radiant heaters and baseboard heaters were removed to expose heat elements.Fins were brushed and vacuumed to remove dust.
All cleaning equipment were vacuumed and/or wet wiped for use on the residence.

Note that cleaning clothing and accessories (handbags, shoes, etc.) was the responsibility of the resident. The Cleaning Contractor didl not open and/or clean inside drawers, cabinets, breakfronts, and similar enclosed storage or display pieces, however, the exterior of these pieces were cleaned.

Testing

The Project Monitoroversaw cleaning operations, and EPA staff also visited the residences to oversee work. When the cleaning was completed, the Project Monitor did a visual inspection. If dust was observed, the residence were re-cleaned as necessary. Once the visual inspection found the residence to be dust free, final air sampling were authorized.

This final testing phase took approximately eight hours and were completed within one day (24 hours) of the completion of cleanup work. Residents had a choice between two forms of airborne asbestos testing, modified-aggressive and aggressive. Modified-aggressive testing simulates the normal air movement you would expect in a room where a fan or air conditioner was running. In aggressive testing, a one-horsepower leaf blower was used to blast air into all corners of the residence before testing is begun. From that point on, the two tests were identical. Any air conditioners were turned on and 20-inch fans (one per 10,000 cubic feet of room space) ran at low speeds for the duration of the test. Depending on the number of rooms in a residence, from three to five air samplers are located in the residence and run for approximately eight hours. These samplers draw in a measured volume of room air and collect dust particles from the air on a filter. The collected dust was then examined in a laboratory for asbestos.

Residents may have occupied their home during modified-aggressive testing but were prepared for noise and disruption. Occupants with known allergies, asthma or other health concerns were to consider contacting their health care provider to determine whether it was advisable to be present while cleaning and/or testing was underway. Residents relocated during and for 48 hours after aggressive testing. The Red Cross had agreed to provide financial assistance to defray costs for relocation expenses. Information from the Red Cross were provided as needed. Occupants removed or secured objects, including pictures and artwork, that could have blown over or otherwise damaged.

The Project Monitor conducted a post-cleaning inspection of the apartment with the resident at the completion of modified-aggressive sampling or upon re-entry after aggressive sampling. During this inspection the project monitor and the resident determined whether cleaning/monitoring activities were completed and whether any property damage or loss has occurred. The resident signed a Project Completion Form.

At a limited number of residences (approximately 250), the Project Monitor conducted pre- and post-cleanup wipe sampling for dioxin, total metals and mercury. Results of this sampling were shared with occupants of the individual residence tested.

EPA notifified residents and owners of the results of the post-cleanup airborne asbestos testing within one month. Residence-specific test results were not made public.

Finally, your residence were recleaned and retested if the post-cleanup testing finds levels of asbestos in excess of EPA's cleanup goal.