COMMUNITY BOARD SIX
HOUSING/ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
COMMITTEE MEETING
APRIL 15, 2002
ATTENDANCE:
PRESENT:
J. BIASCI
M. BONAN
J. DAILEY
R. SHERMAN
P. BLAKE
C. CACACE
A. MCKNIGHT
L. SILVER
EXCUSED:
A. PUGLIESE
ABSENT:
H. HENKIN
GUESTS:
K. KEARNS – NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
G. KELPIN - NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
C. GOODMAN – COBBLE HILL COURIER
J. M. CARITA
W.G. ARTUS
*** MINUTES ***
Motion to accept the corrected minutes of 3/25/2002 was made by Celia Cacace and Seconded by Joseph
Biasci.
4- In favor
0 – opposed 2 – abstentions
Motion passed minutes excepted.
Pauline Blake pointed out that minutes are to summarize the meeting not to cover every point. She also said
this matter would come up at May’s meeting. In the future names should not be put to question.
Geraldine Kelpin
–
Director of Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Air,
Noise, Permits, Enforcement and Policy.
 Federal Clean Air Act Standards
 6 pollutants
 1st Act early 70’s – outdoor ______
1.
Sulfur dioxide
3.
Ozone
5.
Nitrogen dioxide
7.
particulate
2.
4.
6.
carbon monoxide
hydrocarbons
lead
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Over time it moved from hydrocarbons to ozone. Federal standards established (see attachment). Meter to
measure pollutants is run by the NYSDEC – New York City in compliance with 4 of 6. Above in ozone and
because of a change in inhalable particulates – now only Manhattan not meeting particulates. New going to
fine particulate – current 10 microns, going to 2.5 microns. In terms of ambient air quality network has been
reduced. In Brooklyn P.S. 321 in Park Slope particulate monitor and carbon monoxide meter. If there is a
violation in any monitor entire city is designated as not meeting and plans for compliance has to be put in
place.
Changes in levels caused dramatic reductions in carbon monoxide. Ozone we receive from states down wind
– trend is down but only need 3 bad days in summer to cause violations even though source is other states.
Number of cars is a source of ozone pollutants. Particulate – fuel burning – mobile and stationary – oil in
homes diesel fuel. In the future - natural gas for oil.
Question – In ground zero on 9/11 and 9/12 EPA put monitors around site Brooklyn, Staten Island and New
York – when fire was burning a lot of particulate in plume. On pile itself – high organic e.g.: benzene – as
you moved away level dropped off tremendously. EPA Website shows summaries of daily monitoring. It
was definitely an irritant at first. Level of toxins was below level of health concerns. No prolonged exposures
– used most conservative numbers possible.
Question: Asbestos?
Answer: Extensive monitoring in place for months took background readings in other boroughs – no change
9/15 - 10/15.
Question: Where around here_______.
Answer: Will get back to us, but had extensive construction.
Question: Fort Hamilton VA – employees said air quality horrible long after.
Answer: Plume burning until December because it was odiferous did not mean it was hazardous – no
fumes now.
Question: Would you know if anywhere in this vicinity – Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill?
Answer:
Monitoring in Brooklyn by EPA.
Question: Any intentions by Federal, State or City agencies to sample dirt from ground, e.g.: in this area and
Test?
Answer:
Not sure – will get back to us.
Question: Backyards - fruit trees or an impact on planting vegetables etc.?
Answer:
Doesn’t know the extent of testing.
Question: Dust in rooftops, facades.
Answer:
Area close to site still not open – looking at those buildings.
Question: Mayors hotline number for questions? Brooklyn should have backyard dirt testing.
Answer:
Mayors Hotline number for Air Quality Concerns 1-212-221-8635.
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Question: Asbestos testing in concentric circles around site – 15 young political organizers in neighborhood
all you need is a couple of fibers of asbestos and you are in trouble.
Answer:
Two planes crashed into the towers – asbestos was found in the dirt and continues to this day –
used indoor standards in guide for cleanup – swept streets with hepavacs – disposed in
certified sites – check www.epa.gov and scroll down to 9/11 data.
Question: To be samples from ground or air?
Answer:
A couple of different ways – and went into detail.
Question: How long does cleaning asbestos take and what is amount to be toxic?
Answer:
Used New York City code for cleanup.
Question: When you did measuring in lower Manhattan in concentric circles did you reach a point where it
as ok, especially in this location.
Answer:
Yes – EPA and city had about 20 sites each and when they saw something above 70 structure it
was a place where there was work activity – watched both particulate and asbestos.
Question: Are the Federal, State and City regulations the same?
Answer:
It depends on pollutants – for asbestos, city regulations are based on federal standards. All
agencies were very cooperative working together. People put a lot of effort to get the best
guidelines that worked on all levels of government.
Question: When they are watered down - does sediment go in sewers?
Answer:
Testing showed none in sewers at source.
Roosevelt Island, but the Federal Government said no.
Question: Ozone mentioned but no details – is there anyway of replacing ozone. In a disaster if you
Percentage pollutants you panic people – how do you warn people of hazards without panicking.
Answer:
People look at issues very seriously – Ozone – 2 kinds - issue of depleting it in upper atmosphere
– creating it in lower atmosphere – which causes health problems – the two do not interrelate –
oxygen, nitrogen oxide and sunlight - interact and create ozone down here – Ozone has been and
will continue to be monitored for over 20 years.
Question: How are monitored sites chosen?
Answer:
Network that was put in place e.g.: P.S. 321 – chosen as a background location – looked for site
that was elevated and somewhat away from traffic routes – see what background is and then
what’s in street you get an idea of vehicle component. Background and traffic percentages are
much closer. Look for worst case to get high-test level of pollutants – some away from source
and some right in it.
Question: How often do you research areas to put monitors – or factory pollutants.
Answer:
Odors are not picked up using monitors – network for monitors done by DEC and EPA – odors
are responded to by her staff and issue violations on odors and continue to issue them and will
seek
compliance until they do so.
If you have any further questions call 718-595-3627.
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Kenneth Kearns – 718-595-3496 – we’re in a city water restriction stage 1, drought emergency – reservoirs
50% less of capacity – now voluntary – if rain does not occur will go mandatory – warnings and ___
assembled group of posters – English and Spanish – 59 community boards, 250 city state and federal level attached for board office – gave us 12 – refrigerator magnets – 81/2 by 11 sign in 5 or more residences
lobbies, hotel common areas, hospitals, office buildings, etc. – have to meet level requirements.
Water Restrictions:
 Do not wash cars
 Cannot water – se restrictions
 Ornamental fountains off
See flyer sent to Community Board Office. Also see flyer on drought emergency rules.
Further discussion as to how the city is communicating this information i.e. other languages besides English
and Spanish.
Also discussion use of Hudson River water.
Motion to adjourn was made by Michelle Bonan and Seconded by Andrea McKnight. Vote unanimous.
Meeting ended at 8:15 p.m.
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