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EPA Posts Additional Sampling of Sediment in Flood Impacted Areas

Release Date: 05/19/2006
Contact Information: Dale Kemery, (202) 564-4355 / kemery.dale@epa.gov

(5/19/06) On May 19th, EPA posted results from sediment samples collected in March and April 2006 in the flood-impacted areas of New Orleans. These samples target public areas in residential neighborhoods where people are returning to their homes. Samples collected were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides/PCBs, herbicides, diesel and oil range organic chemicals and metals. Results of the samples collected are being compared to Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) Risk Evaluation/Corrective Action (RECAP) Management Option 1 Standards for residential soils and to EPA's cancer-risk range for potential cancer-causing chemicals. Where chemicals exceed EPA and LDEQ criteria, we will work together to determine next steps.

EPA has posted the sample results according to ZIP code on its Katrina web site. For detailed results: epa.gov/katrina/testresults/sediments/residual_zip.html