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Catalyst for Improving the
Environment
Evaluation Report
Report No. 2003-P-00012
August 21, 2003
Report Contributors:
Rick Beusse
Dana Gilmore
James Hatfield
Sarah Fabirkiewicz
Chris Dunlap
Steve Schanamann
Geoff Pierce
Eric Hanger
Abbreviations
AEGL: Acute Exposure Guideline Level
AHERA: Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act
ATSDR: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
CEQ: Council on Environmental Quality
CERCLA: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
Act
CFR: Code of Federal Regulations
COPC: Contaminants of Potential Concern
EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
f/cc: Fibers per Cubic Centimeter
FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency
FRP: Federal Response Plan
HEPA: High Efficiency Particulate Air
HVAC: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
NCP: National Contingency Plan
NESHAP: National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
NIOSH: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NYCDDC: New York City Department of Design and Construction
NYCDEP: New York City Department of Environmental Protection
NYCDOH: New York City Department of Health
OCEMR: Office of Communications, Education, and Media Relations
OIG: Office of Inspector General
OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PAHs: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
PCBs: Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PCM: Phase Contrast Microscopy
PDD: Presidential Decision Directive
PLM: Polarized Light Microscopy
PM: Particulate Matter
s/mm2: Structures Per Millimeter Squared
TEM: Transmission Electron Microscopy
TERA: Toxicology Excellence for Risk Assessment
TSP: Total Suspended Particulates
VOCs: Volatile Organic Compounds
WTC : World Trade Center
Cover photo: New York Police
Department photograph
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, DC 20460
THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
August 21, 2003
MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: Final Evaluation
Report: EPA’s Response to the World Trade Center
Collapse: Challenges, Successes, and Areas for Improvement
Report No. 2003-P-00012
TO: Marianne L. Horinko
Acting Administrator
Attached is our final report
regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) response to the
World Trade Center (WTC) collapse. This report contains findings that
describe problems encountered in responding to the WTC collapse and
corrective actions the Office of Inspector General (OIG) recommends.
This report represents the opinion of the OIG and the findings contained
in this report do not necessarily represent the final EPA position.
Final determinations on matters in the report will be made by EPA
managers in accordance with established procedures.
Action Required
In accordance with EPA Directive
2750, as the action official, you are required to provide this Office
with a written response within 90 days of the final report date. The
response should address all recommendations. For the corrective actions
planned but not completed by the response date, please describe the
actions that are ongoing and provide a timetable for completion. Where
you disagree with a recommendation, please provide alternative actions
for addressing the findings reported.
We appreciate the efforts of EPA
officials and staff, as well as those of New York City, in working with
us to develop this report. If you or your staff have any questions
regarding this report, please contact me at (202) 566-0847 or Kwai Chan,
Assistant Inspector General for Program Evaluation, at (202) 566-0827.
Nikki L. Tinsley
Attachment
cc:
Thomas J. Gibson, Chief of Staff, Office of the Administrator
Jane M. Kenny, Regional Administrator, EPA Region 2
Barry N. Breen, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Solid
Waste and
Emergency Response
Jeffrey R. Holmstead, Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation
J. Paul Gilman, Ph.D., Assistant Administrator for Research and
Development
Kimberly Terese Nelson, Assistant Administrator for Environmental
Information
Lisa B. Harrison, Acting Associate Administrator, Office of Public Affairs
Kathleen Callahan, Assistant Regional Administrator for New York City
Response and
Recovery Operations
Mary U. Kruger, Director, EPA Office of Homeland Security
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