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Environmental Assessment of Buildings Damaged by WTC Event

Following the catastrophic events of 9/11 and the collapse of the World Trade Center Towers, RJ Lee Group (RJLG) was retained by building owners to assess the environmental impact to buildings damaged by the Event. Thousands of dust samples were collected from various systems throughout the buildings. The samples were analyzed for potential contaminants including asbestos, heavy metals, PCBs, PNAs and dioxins-furans. The project involved the development of detailed sampling protocols for the systematic collection of samples from various building systems including interior spaces, wall cavities, cell systems, structural steel, fireproofing, and concrete. To aid in the systematic collection of data for each sample collected and to reduce the amount of time spent, RJLG developed software for Personal Data Assistants (PDAs) for use in the sample collection. The data was uploaded electronically to RJLG's laboratory tracking systems. In addition, remediation studies were conducted in the buildings to determine the efficacy of cleaning the contaminants to acceptable levels. RJLG teamed with architects, engineers, toxicologists and medical professionals during this extensive study. Detailed reports were generated, http://www.nyenvirolaw.org/wtc-index.htm#DBdata , and testimony was given at hearings.