Environmental Protection Agency Region
III
October 9, 2001: Summary of Environmental Monitoring Operations at the
Pentagon
OUTDOOR MONITORING
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EPA Region III emergency responders worked with the FBI and the Defense Department from September 11 through September 29, 2001 to collect air, water, and debris samples at and around the Pentagon crash site to ensure the safety of response personnel, Pentagon employees, and nearby residents. EPA's air monitoring has not detected any pollutants from the fires and building debris that are of concern to the workers or the general public. EPA sampling also indicates that there is no threat of drinking water contamination. The following is a brief summary of the sampling and monitoring that has taken place to date:
Sampling & monitoring work/support zone air quality
Throughout the two and a half weeks following the incident, EPA sampled
the air in the building work zone for asbestos, volatile
organic chemicals (VOCs) and other chemicals, and found only trace
amounts substantially below levels of concern. A total of 244 air samples
were collected in the work zone and support zones: 136 asbestos samples,
78 silica samples, 23 lead samples and 7 VOC samples. Of these samples
only two silica samples were slightly above the recommended levels for
work areas. Since all of the workers in the affected area were wearing
respirators, this level of exposure did not present a problem.
Sampling & monitoring off-site air quality
Beginning September 11, EPA sampled air in and around Washington D.C.
and northern Virginia, and the perimeter of the Pentagon facility for
smoke, particulate matter, VOCs, and other chemicals. EPA's sampling found
contaminants at background levels or substantially below levels of concern.
Samples were collected continuously from as many as three different locations
for the period from September 12 through September 17. In addition, data
from existing ambient monitoring stations near the Pentagon were evaluated
for impacts from the fire. All data collected from these stations were
at levels typical of urban air pollution, and no influence from the fire
was detected.
Sampling & monitoring water quality
EPA collected three samples of runoff water generated while fighting the
fire, and one sample of runoff from the North parking area (the debris
sorting area). These samples were analyzed for volatile and semi-volatile
organics, metals, and pesticides. Trace amounts of metals and other chemicals
substantially were found in the runoff. The runoff from the response effort
was routed to a sewage treatment facility whenever possible, but much
of it entered storm sewers and was discharged into the Potomac River.
Results from sampling the discharged water indicate that amounts of contaminants
were below levels of concern for short term exposure for human health.
The concentrations of contaminants in the runoff are not expected to have
any negative impact on aquatic life in the surface waters of the area,
most notably on the Potomac River.
Sampling crash site debris
EPA sampled debris from inside the building for asbestos, lead and other
metals. A total of 8 ash/debris samples were taken inside the building
and in the debris sorting area. A few relatively high concentrations of
metals were reported in ash and soot- antimony (a metal) at up to 225
mg/kg and arsenic at up to 38 mg/kg. However short-term exposure and limited
routes of contact have minimized any potential for harm. Most of this
debris is being or has been disposed of in an approved construction waste
landfill, where it will be covered and will not be able to migrate into
the environment. In addition, workers handling this material were required
to wear respirators and protective clothing.