Table of Contents
Notes on Government Agencies
Undated Information Related to 9/11
Go Directly to September 2001 Information
Go Directly to October 2001 Information
Undated:
New York City Department of Health: Public Health Advisory
Concerning Air Quality in the Affected Area of the World Trade Center Disaster
NYCDOH: Notice to Building Owners Located South of 14th
Street, Manhattan Building Maintenance Issues Involved in Reopening Buildings
Closed Since Tuesday, September 11
Other Reports/Press Releases, Undated:
NYCDOH: Health of Rescue Personnel
NYCDOH: Recommendations for Motorists in the Area Affected by the World Trade Center Disaster
NYCDOH: Recommendations for People Re-Occupying Commercial Buildings and Residents Re-Entering Their Homes
NYCDOH: Questions and Answers About Bioterrorism
EPA/OSHA Factsheets & Monitoring Data (on separate page)
EPA and OSHA Web Sites Provide Environmental Monitoring Data From World Trade Center and Surrounding Areas
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
EPA Asbestos Air Monitoring Data
Particulate Matter Air Monitoring Data
Drinking Water Monitoring Data
OSHA Asbestos Sampling Area Map - Lower Manhattan and World Trade Center
OSHA: Air Monitoring at the WTC Site (except asbestos)
OSHA: Asbestos Monitoring at the WTC Site
September 11:
Other Reports/Press Releases from September 11, 2001
September 12:
Other Reports/Press Releases from September 12, 2001
September 13:
EPA Initiates Emergency Response Activities, Reassures
Public About Environmental Hazards
HHS Emergency Response: Summary Report, Sept. 13
HHS: Emergency
Phone Number for Medicare and Medicaid Beneficiaries, Child Health Plus Members
Whose Normal Medical Needs have been Interrupted by the Tragedy
HHS: Remarks About the HHS Emergency Response
by Tommy G. Thompson
Other Reports/Press Releases from September 13,
2001
September 14:
HHS Sends 35 Members of Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention EIS Team to NYC
OSHA: EPA, OSHA,
Update Asbestos Data. Continue to reassure public of contamination fears
OSHA Pitching In To Assist With Worker Safety
Measures, Asbestos Tests
EPA Emergency Responses at World Trade Center and
Pentagon
Other Reports/Press Releases from September 14,
2001
September 15:
Other Reports/Press Releases from September 15, 2001
September 16:
HAS 9/16 -- HHS Fact Sheets on Dust, Debris
and Asbestos Available
Factsheet
on Asbestos
Factsheet
on Dust and Debris
Other Reports/Press Releases from September 16,
2001
September 17:
HHS Emergency Response: Summary Report, Sept.
17
Other Reports/Press Releases from September 17,
2001
September 18:
EPA: Whitman Details Ongoing Agency Efforts to
Monitor Disaster Sites, Contribute to Cleanup Efforts
EPA: Frequently Asked Environmental and Public
Health Questions about the World Trade Center and Pentagon Tragedies
Other Reports/Press Releases from September 18,
2001
September 19:
HHS: National Disaster Medical System Delivers
Veterinarians to Care for Search and Rescue Dogs in New York
Other Reports/Press Releases from September 19,
2001
September 20:
Other Reports/Press Releases from September 20, 2001
September 21:
EPA: NYC Monitoring Efforts Continue to Show Safe
Drinking Water & Air
EPA: Daily Summaries of EPA Activities in Response
to the World Trade Center Incident
HHS Announces $126 Million in Relief Funds for
Disaster-Impacted Health and Social Services
Other Reports/Press Releases
from September 21, 2001
September 22:
NYC Health Department Distributes Health Recommendations
for Residential and Commercial Reoccupation
Other Reports/Press Releases from September 22,
2001
September 24:
Other Reports/Press Releases from September 24, 2001
September 25:
FEMA: World Trade Center and Pentagon Disaster
Update
OSHA Providing Safety and Health Aid
To New York Rescue Workers
Other Reports/Press Releases from
September 25, 2001
September 26:
Other Reports/Press Releases from September 26, 2001
September 27:
Other Reports/Press Releases from September 27, 2001
September 28:
CDC: Notice to Readers: New York City Department
of Health Response to Terrorist Attack, September 11, 2001
Other Reports/Press Releases from September 29,
2001
September 29:
OSHA: Summaries of OSHA activities at the World
Trade Center
Other Reports/Press Releases from September 29,
2001
September 30:
Other Reports/Press Releases from September 30, 2001
October 1:
Other Reports/Press Releases from October 1, 2001
October 2:
EPA: Summary of Environmental Monitoring Operations
at the Pentagon
Other Reports/Press Releases from October 2,
2001
October 3:
FEMA: New York Office Announces Disaster Housing
Assistance Available from FEMA
Other Reports/Press Releases from October 3,
2001
October 4:
Other Reports/Press Releases from October 4, 2001
October 5:
NYCDOH: NYC Health Department Responds to Concerns
About Air Quality in Lower Manhattan
Other Reports/Press Releases from October 5,
2001
October 6:
FEMA: Disaster Assistance Begins With a Call
NEW!
October 8:
Other Reports/Press Releases from October 8, 2001 NEW!
October 9:
FEMA: Disaster Officials Offer Cleanup Tips For Affected WTC Victims NEW!
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-- Photos of New York, Photos of the Pentagon
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) -- News and Public Affairs. Current Press Releases, Photos
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) -- U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (no info as of 10/6)
Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) -- CDC Epidemiology Program Office (no info as of 10/6)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, part of HHS) -- Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMER)
New York City Department of Health (NYCDOH)
New York City Department of Health
Response to the World Trade Center Disaster
Public Health Advisory
Concerning Air Quality in the Affected Area of the World Trade Center Disaster
Note that several dated press releases from NYCDOH have similar information
(edited text below)
Truly horrible advice!! It is designed, I am guessing, to keep people from panicking, but it avoids giving accurate and truly helpful information. Some of what it says is dangerous. In fact, NYCDOH contradicts itself in its own liturature about asbestos. From their Asbestos (ACM) Fact Sheet:
| To clean asbestos from: | Do this: |
| People | Take a shower at home or in a decontamination trailer. |
| Clothes | Rinse with running water from a hose or faucet
prior to cleaning in a washing machine. |
| Pets | Clean with running water from a hose or faucet. |
| Foods | Throw away any food that may have been
contaminated with asbestos, except for food in cans, jars or containers with tight-fitting lids. Just wash the can or jar with water and wipe it clean. If in doubt, throw it out. |
| Plants | Rinse leaves with water and replace the potting soil. |
| Rugs and carpets | HEPA* vacuuming by trained workers. |
| Furniture | HEPA* vacuuming by trained workers. |
| Air conditioners | HEPA* vacuuming by trained workers. |
| Cars, vehicles, bicycles | HEPA* vacuuming by trained workers. |
My notes are in square brackets.
Following the collapse of the Twin Towers, significant quantities of smoke and dust have been released into the air. The plume of smoke contained dust, ash, soot, and other burning materials present at the site. In general, dusts can cause respiratory symptoms and eye and throat irritation. [While this is true, it is hardly the whole story, or even the worst of it.]
What are the Recommendations for Residents Living in Lower Manhattan?
All residents in the immediate vicinity of the World Trade Center - particularly
those who live the area bounded by Warren Street to the North, Broadway to the
East, the Hudson River to the West, and Exchange and Thames Streets to the South
- should take the following precautions when they return to their homes:
[All of these things are reasonable but they give a false sense of security. They are not anywhere near enough.]
If I experience any eye irritation what should I do?
Ocular saline solutions or tap water may be used to rinse eyes irritated by
dust. All persons should avoid wearing contact lenses while in the affected
area. [Again, this gives a false sense of security. If you are close enough
to the dust cloud that you are getting eye irritation, you should be wearing
goggles and appropriate lung protection. Better yet, you shouldn't be there
if you can help it.]
What are the health effects of asbestos?
Destruction of the World Trade Center buildings released large amounts of dust
and ash, some of which contained trace amounts of asbestos. Based on the asbestos
test results received thus far, the general public's risk for any short or long
term adverse health affects are very low. Residents who live near the affected
area are not at risk of developing asbestos-related illness following the collapse
of the World Trade Center buildings. [False. The risks for residents are lower
than they are for rescue workers, support staff at ground zero, and survivors
of the building collapses. But they are not negligible. The risks go up considerably
if you live with asbestos fibers for a period of time. This is easy to do without
knowing it, just from tracking in asbestos dust on your shoes or failing to
discard contaminated clothing.]
In general, asbestos-related lung disease general results only from intense asbestos exposure experienced over a period of many years, primarily as a consequence of occupational exposures. The risk of developing an asbestos-related illness following an exposure of short duration is very low.
How can I clean up dusts in or near my home or office?
The best way to remove dust is to use a wet rag or wet mop. Sweeping with a
dry broom is not recommended because it can make dust airborne again. Dirty
rags should be put in plastic bags while they are still wet and bags should
be sealed and discarded (cloth rags can be washed, see instructions below).
Rags should not be allowed to dry out before bagging and disposal or washing.
Because the dust particles are so small, standard vacuuming is not an efficient
way to remove the dust. High efficiency vacuums, which are now widely available
in stores, should be used to remove dust. Carpets and upholstery can be shampooed,
then vacuumed. [DANGEROUS ADVICE!!! Asbestos cleanup should be done by licensed
professionals who have undergone at least 8 hours of asbestos abatement training.
It absolutely should not be done by nonprofessionals. While the specifics of
this advice are reasonable, the format implies that anyone can do it. This is
completely false. Only trained individuals wearing protective equipment should
undertake this task.]
Persons should shower to rinse off any dust from hair and skin. Dusty clothes should be washed separately from other clothing. Pets can be washed with running water from a hose or faucet; their paws should be wiped to avoid tracking dust inside the home. To clean plants, rinse leaves with water. Throw away any food that may have been contaminated with dust. Food in cans, jars or containers with tight-fitting lids do not need to be discarded. However, if there is dust present on the exterior of vacuum-sealed food containers, just wash the can or jar with water and wipe it clean. If in doubt, throw it out. [This is all fine, though if there is significant dust present, only professionals should do the cleaning. It is better to throw out contaminated clothing, especially if you were one of the unfortunates covered in dust after the collapses.]
Air purifiers may help reduce indoor dust levels. High efficiency air purifiers are superior to other models in filtering the smallest particles. Air purifiers are only useful for removing dust from the air. They will not remove dust already deposited on floors, shelves, upholstery or rugs. Keep windows closed when using an air purifier. [Sounds reasonable. The type of filter to get is called HEPA. It is not a substitute for professional cleaning.]
Do pregnant women and young children need to take additional precautions?
No. Pregnant women and young children do not need to take additional precautions.
[Untrue. Children, the elderly, people with compromised immune systems, asthma,
chemical sensitivities, heart disease, and many other conditions are more susceptible
not just to soot and particles but to the many toxic chemicals present in the
smoke and smoldering ruins of the WTC. Burning plastics, office furniture, freon,
and more are present in that smoke. Also, fetal damage is impossible to know
right away and small children may not be able to tell you their symptoms, so
be more aware of potential problems in these populations.]
New York City Department of Health
Response to the World Trade Center Disaster
Notice to Building Owners
Located South of 14th Street, Manhattan
Building Maintenance Issues Involved in Reopening Buildings Closed Since
Tuesday, September 11
(full text below)
New York City Department of Health
Response to the World Trade Center Disaster
New York City Department
of Health Response to the World Trade Center Disaster Results of Air, Water,
and Dust Sampling from the World Trade Center Disaster Area Conducted by U.S.
Environment Protection Agency, Updated Daily
(full text below)
In cooperation with the New York City Department of Health and other governmental agencies, the U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) continues to collect environmental sampling data in and around the site of the World Trade Center disaster. Daily reports that contain results of sampling for air, water, and dust, as well as an interactive map showing the location of air monitoring stations in lower Manhattan are now available at www.epa.gov.
Other Reports/Press Releases, Undated:
NYCDOH: Health of Rescue
Personnel (contact with corpses and emotional factors)
NYCDOH: Recommendations
for Motorists in the Area Affected by the World Trade Center Disaster (do
not follow this advice; if your car has WTC dust on it, get it cleaned by professionals
with training in asbestos abatement)
NYCDOH: Recommendations
for People Re-Occupying Commercial Buildings and Residents Re-Entering Their
Homes (similar to dated press releases, do not follow most of the advice)
NYCDOH: Questions and Answers
About Bioterrorism
| News Reports |
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| Table of Contents |
| Sept 2001 |
| Oct 2001 |