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Registration Period Draws to a Close For EPA's Lower Manhattan Test and Clean Program

Release Date: 03/26/2007
Contact Information: Mary Mears (212) 637-3673, mears.mary@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y.) On March 30, 2007 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will close the registration period for its Lower Manhattan Test and Clean program. The program, which covers the area south of Canal Street and West of Allen and Pike Streets, will allow residents and building owners to have the air and dust in their units tested for four contaminants associated with dust from the collapse of the World Trade Center. Through sampling results, EPA will provide information to people who live and work in Lower Manhattan about levels of certain contaminants in their homes or buildings.

If analysis of dust and air samples finds elevated levels of any of four contaminants of concern -- asbestos, man-made vitreous fibers such as fiberglass, lead, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons – the contaminants will be cleaned up. Testing of interior spaces is expected to begin in the spring.

The program is limited to $7 million provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Based on the number of people requesting participation, there is a possibility that program resources will not be sufficient to cover everyone who registers. Priority for testing will be based on a property’s proximity to the World Trade Center site.

To register applicants must contact the hotline (1-888-747-7725) by 9:00pm on Friday, March 30 and return all documents to the EPA by April 30, 2007. For a complete description of the EPA Test and Clean Program, please go to EPA’s Web site at: https://www.epa.gov/wtc/testandclean.

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