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Sampling Data Posted from 9 NPL Sites in Hurricane Katrina-affected Areas of Mississippi and Alabama

Release Date: 12/22/2005
Contact Information:


Contact: Eryn Witcher, 202-564-4355 / witcher.eryn@epa.gov

(12/22/05) From Oct. 12 through Oct. 14, 2005, a team from EPA collected sediment, surface water and groundwater samples at nine National Priority List (NPL) sites in Mississippi and Alabama to assess if Hurricane Katrina had any impact on cleanup remedies currently operating or completed at those sites.

In Mississippi, surface water and sediment samples were collected at American Creosote Works in Louisville, and Picayune Wood Treating in Picayune; and sediment samples were collected at Davis Timber in Hattiesburg. Sample results indicate that the remedies at each site were not affected by Hurricane Katrina. Site contaminants of concern (COCs) were detected at American Creosote Works and Davis Timber, but the concentrations were within the range of previously reported concentrations for the detected COCs. At Picayune Wood Treating, COCs were detected in sediment samples but not in surface water. The concentrations of COCs in the sediment were detected at levels below risk-based human health levels of concern.

In Alabama, surface water and sediment samples were collected at the Olin-McIntosh Plant and Ciba Geigy in McIntosh; and sediment samples were collected at Stauffer-Cold Creek and Stauffer-LeMoyne in LeMoyne, and Redwing Carriers (Saraland Apartments) in Saraland. Groundwater samples were collected at the Perdido Groundwater Contamination Site in Perdido. Sample results indicate that the remedies at each site were not affected by Hurricane Katrina. Some chemical concentrations were detected at Stauffer-LeMoyne and Redwing Carriers, but the concentrations were detected at levels below risk-based human health levels of concern. At sites where there is pre-Katrina sampling data, the sampling results were within the range of previously reported concentrations for the detected COCs.

Information about assessment of all NPL sites affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita is available at: https://www.epa.gov/katrina/superfund.html