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Supplemental Appendices
Report No. 2003-P-00012
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| Press Release |
| New York City Department of Health Office of Public Affairs |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Sandra Mullin/ Andrew Tucker Monday, September 17, 2001 (212) 447-8232 |
HEALTH DEPARTMENT OFFERS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS RE-OCCUPYING COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND RESIDENTS RE-ENTERING THEIR HOMES
The New York City Department of Health announced today recommendations for building owners/managers and individuals who are being allowed to re-enter their businesses or homes for the first time since the World Trade Center disaster on September 11. The Health Department has been collaborating with numerous City, State, and Federal agencies to monitor potential public health impacts in the general vicinity of the World Trade Center blast zone.
New York City Health Commissioner Neal L. Cohen, M.D., said "As some buildings near the World Trade Center may have sustained structural damage, experienced power loss, and/or been subject to migrating dust and debris from the blast, the Health Department working with numerous agencies have been actively monitoring the condition of buildings in and around the blast area to determine when occupants may safely resume tenancy. Property owners and managers are being instructed to assess the stability and safety of their buildings. This includes checking and, if necessary, restoring utility services."
Recommendations for Re-entry into Your Homes
In your home, first make sure that conditions are safe. Enter your home dressed in a long-sleeve shirt and pants, and with closed shoes. Upon entry:
- Check for the smell of gas. If the apartment smells of gas, leave immediately and report it to your building manager and to Con Edison.
- Check for broken glass and fixtures. Wrap any broken glass in paper and mark it "broken glass." If large pieces of glass are broken, ask your building superintendent for help.
- Run hot and cold water from each of the taps for at least two minutes, or until water runs completely clean, whichever is longer.
- Flush toilets until bowls are refilled. For air pressure systems, you may need to flush several times. If there are any problems with the toilet or plumbing system, call a plumber -- do not try to fix the problem yourself.
*The Main Office of the NYC DOH has been temporarily relocated to 455 1st Avenue.
Recommendations for Food Left in Homes and Office Spaces
The power outage in much of lower Manhattan may have caused refrigerated and frozen food to spoil. Raw or cooked meat, poultry and seafood, milk and milk-containing products, eggs, mayonnaise and creamy dressings, and cooked foods should be thrown out if power was out for two or more hours. Frozen foods that have thawed should be thrown away. Do not re-freeze thawed food. Throw away any food that may have been contaminated with dust, except for food in cans, jars, or containers with tight-fitting lids. Wash dust-covered cans and jars with water and wipe clean. When it comes to food left in your building, if in doubt, throw it out.
Recommendations for Cleaning Homes and Office Space
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. Where dust is thick, directly wet the dust with water, and remove it in layers with wet rags and mops. Dirty rags can be rinsed under running water, (try not leave dust in the sink to dry). Used rags and mops should be put in plastic bags while they are still wet and bags should be sealed and discarded. Cloth rags should be washed separately from other laundry. Wash heavily-soiled or dusty clothing or linens twice. Remove lint from washing machines and filters in the dryers with each laundry load. 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 and may put dust back into the air where it can be inhaled. HEPA (high efficiency particulate) efficiency filtration vacuums capable of trapping very fine particles can be used. If a HEPA vacuum is not available, either HEPA bags or dust allergen bags should be used with your regular vacuum. Carpets and upholstery can be shampooed and then vacuumed.
If your apartment is very dusty, you should wash or HEPA vacuum your curtains. If curtains need to be taken down, take them down slowly to prevent making dust in the air. To clean plants, rinse leaves with water. Pets may be washed with running water from a hose or faucet; their paws should be wiped to avoid tracking dust inside the home.
Additional recommendations include:
- Avoid sweeping or other outdoor maintenance;
- Keep outdoor dust from entering the home;
- Keep windows closed;
- Set the air conditioner to re-circulate air (closed vents), and clean or change the filter frequently;
- Remove shoes before entering the home for several days (once you first make sure there is no broken glass).
- Air purifiers may help reduce indoor dust levels. 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.
| EPA Response to the World Trade Center Collapse | |
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