News Briefs: (1) EPA Posts Results from Samples taken in Hurricane Affected Areas of Mississippi; (2) NPL Data Posted from Hurricane Katrina Affected Area in Louisiana; (3) More Murphy Oil Sampling Data Released
*News Briefs *If you need more information on any of these subjects, call the listed Press Officer. For Release: (Washington, D.C. -- Friday, January 13, 2006) * (1) EPA Posts Results from Samples taken in Hurricane Affected Areas of Mississippi (2) NPL Data Posted from Hurricane Katrina Affected Area in Louisiana (3) More Murphy Oil Sampling Data Released (1) EPA Posts Results from Samples taken in Hurricane Affected Areas of Mississippi *Contact: Eryn Witcher, 202-564-4355 / witcher.eryn@epa.gov On Jan. 13, 2006 EPA posted results from soil and sediment samples collected near hazardous waste facilities or facilities that handle hazardous substances in the hurricane affected areas of Mississippi. These samples were taken to determine if flooding from the storm surge released hazardous constituents and materials. The facilities being investigated are located in the storm surge impacted portions of Hancock, Harrison and Jackson Counties in Mississippi, and include Sonford Products; Chemfax, Inc.; DuPont DeLisle - Pass Christian; Chevron Pascagoula; First Chemical; Mississippi Phosphates; Omega Protein - Moss Point; Port Bienville Industrial Park (Polychemie, Inc.); and Ershigs Fiberglass, Inc. Based on the sampling results, EPA does not believe these sites were impacted by Hurricane Katrina. EPA's conclusions regarding the potential impact of the hurricane on these sites are based on a comparison of post-hurricane data to available past sample data collected during facility investigations or routine monitoring activities. In addition, the results were compared to EPA Region 9 Preliminary Remediation Goals (PRGs) to determine if conditions at the sites might represent previously unrecognized risks to human health and the environment. EPA Region 9 PRGs (available at: http://www.epa.gov/region9/waste/sfund/prg/index.html [ http://www.epa.gov/region9/waste/sfund/prg/index.html ] ) are conservative risk-based concentrations based on long-term exposures in either a residential or commercial/industrial setting. They are considered by EPA to be protective for people (including sensitive groups) over a lifetime. For more detailed information on these results, visit: http://www.epa.gov/katrina/testresults [ http://www.epa.gov/katrina/testresults ] * (2) NPL Data Posted from Hurricane Katrina Affected Area in Louisiana *Contact: Eryn Witcher, 202-564-4355 / witcher.eryn@epa.gov On Jan. 13, 2006 EPA posted results from samples taken at D.L. Mud, Inc., an NPL site in Vermillion Parish, La. On Oct. 1, 2005, EPA collected two shallow ground water samples from monitoring wells at this site and compared the results to data collected for the Five-Year Review for the site completed in September 2003. The concentrations of metals detected in the October 2005 samples were comparable to the concentrations of metals reported in the Five-Year Review. Therefore, EPA concludes that the remedy implemented at the site was not affected by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita. EPA will continue to monitor the site according to the site operation and maintenance monitoring plan. For more information on these results, visit: http://www.epa.gov/katrina/testresults [ http://www.epa.gov/katrina/testresults ] *(3) More Murphy Oil Sampling Data* *Released *Contact: Eryn Witcher, 202-564-4355 / witcher.eryn@epa.gov On Jan. 13, 2006 EPA posted 19 additional Murphy Oil samples taken at residential and other properties near the oil spill at Murphy's Meraux Refinery in St. Bernard Parish, La. These most recent 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, and diesel and oil range organic chemicals. The screening levels are 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. To date, the facility has collected a total of 5,852 interior and exterior sediment samples from 3,417 residences. Of these 5,852 sediment samples, EPA has collected 604 split samples for analysis at an off-site laboratory. US EPA has received, evaluated and is posting the results of the first 535 samples. US EPA will continue to post the results of these samples 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 ] R013 [ http://service.govdelivery.com/service/edition.html?code=USAEPA_26&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. 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