October 4, 2001 WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal health officials who conducted hundreds of tests at the World Trade Center attack site say they discovered no significant public health hazards.
In response to requests for more information, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are making results available on their Web sites.
The two agencies analyzed samples of air, dust, water, river sediments and drinking water in the area for pollutants such as asbestos, radiation, mercury and other metals, pesticides or bacteria that could have been health hazards.
Of the 442 air samples EPA has taken at and around ground zero, 27 samples had levels of asbestos above the standard used by the EPA to determine if children can re-enter a school after asbestos has been removed.
OSHA analyzed 67 air samples from the same area, and all were below the OSHA workplace standard for asbestos.
Of 177 dust and debris samples taken, 48 had levels over 1 percent, the level used to define asbestos-containing material. Asbestos insulation now is banned as a cancer-causing substance.
Early samples from water runoff into the Hudson and East rivers showed elevated levels of asbestos, metals, dioxin and polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs. Recent results found nondetectable or low levels, the agencies said.
"Our data show that contaminant levels are low or nonexistent and are generally confined to the trade center site," EPA Administrator Christie Whitman said. "There is no need for concern among the general public."
OSHA Administrator John Henshaw said workers at the site should wear protective equipment, but there is no threat to public health.
Copyright 2001 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
