Resolution to be considered at PA General Meeting November 19, 2002
Whereas, based on air testing done throughout 2001-02 , the EPA,DOH, and DEP
concluded that clean up efforts at Stuyvesant were sufficient to protect the
health and safety of the students, teachers and staff in the building, and
Whereas concerns remain that asbestos testing done by the DOE does not give
adequate assurance that the auditorium seats are free of consequential
asbestos contamination, and
Whereas the PA's consultants have indicated that they believe more testing
of the seats is warranted, and
Whereas, based on advice from the EPA, the DEP, and the DOH that
ultrasonication and microvacuum sampling "are not relevant or valid
indicators of the potential for asbestos fibers to be released into the air
or of the potential risk of exposure," the DOE refused a PA request to
perform ultrasonication or microvacuum testing, and
Whereas, the EPA, DEP and DOH have indicated that the best method for
evaluating risk of exposure to asbestos is by aggressive air monitoring
following AHERA protocols, and
Whereas the PA consultants, understanding DOE reservations with respect to
the use of microvacuum and/or ultrasonication testing in the absence of any
regulatory standards for evaluating results, have recommended that, at a
minimum, modified aggressive air monitoring be employed to assess the
potential that any asbestos present in the upholstery become airborne, and
Whereas the DOE has expressed willingness to do further testing of the
auditorium using a method modeled on one developed in conjunction with the
UFT this summer, and
Whereas, the PA consultants have indicated that the aforementioned sample
results are encouraging, and
Whereas the PA consultants have indicated that if similar testing were
conducted under their supervision whereby more samples were taken (employing
vacuums as well) and all results were below 70 asbestos structures/mm2, said
results would be a "good indicator that the seats do not require
remediation", and
Whereas the DOE has agreed to conduct such testing under the observation of
the PA consultants, and
Whereas the DOE has indicated that it will perform these tests only with the
understanding that if the seats do not show levels of asbestos equal to or
exceeding AHERA standards (70 structures/mm2) that the PA will consider
cleanup of the 9/11 related contamination complete, and
Whereas the PA consultants have stated that there are no other areas of
significant concern relating to the summer clean-up of the school in the
aftermath of 9/11/01, and
Whereas the PA Executive Board, acting on a recommendation of the majority
PA Health and Safety Committee (4-1) voted to recommend (by a vote of
15-11-1) that its environmental consultants, Howard Bader and Tom Fusillo
- Develop in conjunction with the DOE a protocol for testing the auditorium
seats,
- Observe the testing in a manner they (consultants) deem appropriate,
- Evaluate the results of the testing
If the testing demonstrates an asbestos risk, the PA Board will expect the
DOE to ensure removal and replacement of seats according to asbestos
abatement protocols. If the testing demonstrates that asbestos levels of all
samples are lower than the AHERA clearance level of 70 structures/mm2, the PA
Board may
express their satisfaction with the Summer 2002 lead and asbestos cleanup of
Stuyvesant,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that
The PA consultants, Howard Bader and Tom Fusillo are instructed to
- Develop in conjunction with the DOE, a protocol for testing the
auditorium seats.
- Observe the testing in a manner that they (consultants) deem
appropriate.
- Evaluate the results of the testing.
If the testing demonstrates an asbestos risk, the PA will expect the DOE to
ensure removal and replacement of the seats according to asbestos abatement
protocols. If the testing demonstrates that asbestos levels of all samples
are lower than the AHERA standard of 70 asbestos structures/mm2, the PA may
consider the Summer 2002 lead and asbestos cleanup of Stuyvesant High School
completed.
Glossary of terms:
AHERA Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act
EPA(USEPA) United States Environmental Protection Agency
DEP(NCYDEP) New York City Department of Environmental Protection
DOH(NYCDOH) New York City Department of Health
DOE Department of Education
UFT United Federation of Teachers
