Emergency Response News Release: EPA Posts Sampling Data
from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
News Briefs
If you need more information on any of these subjects, call the listed Press Officer.
For Release: (Washington, D.C. -- November 22, 2005)
EPA Posts Sampling Data from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
(1) Data from Five NPL Sites in Hurricane-Affected Area Posted
(2) EPA Releases Murphy Oil Sampling Data
(3) Sediment Sampling Data from Orleans; 9th Ward and St. Bernard Parish
(4) EPA Releases Air Monitoring Data for Louisiana and Mississippi
Contact: Eryn Witcher, 202-564-4355 / witcher.eryn@epa.gov [ mailto:witcher.eryn@epa.gov ]
(1) Data from Five NPL Sites in Hurricane-Affected Area Posted
From Sept. 29 through Oct. 14, 2005, a team of EPA contractors collected samples at National Priority List (NPL) sites in Louisiana and Texas to assess if Hurricanes Katrina and Rita had any impact on remedies completed at those sites. Sampling results at additional NPL sites in the impacted area will be posted as they become available.
In Louisiana, ground water samples were collected at Bayou Sorrel in Iberville, Cleve Reber and Old Inger Refinery in Ascension, and PAB Oil in Abbeville. In Texas, ground water samples were collected at Palmer Barge in Port Arthur. Sample results indicate that the remedies at Bayou Sorrel, Cleve Reber, and Old Inger Refinery in Louisiana were not affected. However, shallow groundwater samples at PAB Oil detected arsenic and chromium above their respective drinking water standards. EPA will continue to monitor the shallow groundwater. Remedies at the Palmer Barge site in Texas were not yet in place when the hurricane hit. However, EPA's evaluation of the data from the Sept. 29 samples indicates that metals concentrations in the groundwater continue to be detected at or below the current federal drinking water standards.
Specific test results are available at: http://www.epa.gov/enviro/katrina/emkatrina.html [ http://www.epa.gov/enviro/katrina/emkatrina.html ] Information about assessment of all NPL sites affected by the hurricanes is available at:
http://www.epa.gov/katrina/superfund.html [ http://www.epa.gov/katrina/superfund.html ]
(2) EPA Releases Murphy Oil Sampling Data
On Nov. 21 EPA posted results from 102 more Murphy Oil samples taken at residential and other properties near the oil spill at Murphy's Meraux Refinery in St. Bernard Parish, La. These sample results were consistent with other samples taken. The primary contaminants detected in the new sediment samples that were above the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Risk Evaluation/Corrective Action Screening Standards for Soil were polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are commonly found in fuel oils and crude oil, diesel and oil range organic chemicals. The screening level risk evaluation were intended to be protective levels based on long-term (i.e., 30-year) exposures to children and adults in a residential setting.
EPA recommends, in the short-term, that residents returning to the area should avoid direct contact with the crude oil contaminated sediments. These compounds can pose a skin irritation problem if they get onto bare or broken skin. Skin contact with crude oils for short periods may cause itchy, red, sore, or peeling skin.
Thus far Murphy has collected 2448 sediment samples from 1390 residences. Of the 2448 sediment samples collected, US EPA has sent 249 split samples for separate analyses. One hundred ninety-four samples are now posted. The results of these samples will be posted as they become available.
For more information on these results and EPA recommendations, visit:
http://www.epa.gov/katrina/testresults/murphy/index.html [ http://www.epa.gov/katrina/testresults/murphy/index.html ]
(3) Sediment Sampling Data from Orleans; 9th Ward and St. Bernard Parish
On Nov. 21, EPA posted results from sediment samples taken Nov. 3, 4, 6, 7, and 10 from Louisiana's Orleans and St. Bernard Parishes. Sediment samples indicate the continued presence of petroleum, as well as volatiles, semivolatiles, including polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides and heavy metals including aluminum. EPA and ATSDR/CDC believe that exposures at these levels to emergency responders are not expected to cause adverse health effects as long as the proper protective equipment such as gloves and safety glasses is worn. EPA and ATSDR/CDC continue to recommend that residents avoid all contact with sediment deposited by the flood water, where possible, due to potential concerns associated with long-term skin contact. For more information on these results, visit: http://www.epa.gov/enviro/katrina/emkatrina.html [ http://www.epa.gov/enviro/katrina/emkatrina.html ]
(4) EPA Releases Air Monitoring Data for Louisiana and Mississippi
EPA updated air quality monitoring data with particle pollution measurements from both Mississippi and New Orleans Oct. 15, 2005 through Nov. 7, 2005. Results show that measurements of fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM10) particles from all locations were below EPA's health-based screening level for the general population (65 micrograms per cubic meter for PM2.5, 250 micrograms per cubic meter for PM10). However, for two sites, Dedeaux Road in Gulfport, Miss., and Klondyke Road, Long Beach, Miss., spikes were recorded in fine particles above the screening level established for sensitive groups (40 micrograms per cubic meter). These two monitoring stations were established to evaluate the impact burning debris has on nearby air quality. Elevated levels at these sites were reported for a total of eight days, with concentrations ranging from 58 - 43 micrograms per cubic meter. After each spike, fine particle concentrations dropped below health-based screening levels for sensitive groups.
For more information, visit: http://epa.gov/air/katrina/pm.html [ http://epa.gov/air/katrina/pm.html ]
R257
[ http://service.govdelivery.com/service/edition.html?code=USAEPA_16&format=Web&email_type=bulletin ]
You can update or cancel your subscription at any time [ https://www.govdocs.com/service/user.html?code=USAEPA ]. You need only your e-mail address (and your password if you have selected one).
This service is provided free of charge by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
If you have any questions or problems about this service, please contact help@govdelivery.com [ mailto:help@govdelivery.com ] for assistance.
