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Flood Water Test Results: Chemical Testing
September 4, 2005

Test Results

Site 16283

Introduction

Test Results

Introduction

EPA in coordination with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality performed chemical sampling of New Orleans flood waters for over one hundred priority pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs), total metals, pesticides, herbicides, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Flood water sampling data for chemicals are being posted from September 3, 2005 on as they become available. The data has been reviewed and validated through a quality assurance process to ensure scientific accuracy.

Floodwater results for September 4, 2005: Lead was detected at levels which exceed EPA drinking water standards. Lead would pose a risk to children only if a child were to drink a liter of flood water a day.

Additional information

Additional information regarding health and safety issues for both the public and emergency responders can be found on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Web site and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Web site.

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Test Results

NOTE: In the interest of providing these data as quickly as possible, we are posting them in a format that is capable of being viewed only in Internet Explorer. We are currently reformatting the data so that they are viewable in other browsers.

 

Sampled and Found - Exceeding EPA limits

CAS NumberNameMeasured Level (ug/L)EPA Limit (ug/L)Description
None

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Sampled and Found - but not Exceeding EPA limits

CAS NumberNameMeasured Level (ug/L)EPA Limit (ug/L)Description
7439-97-6Mercury0.32Mercury is a naturally occurring metal which has several forms. The metallic mercury is a shiny, silver-white, odorless liquid. If heated, it is a colorless, odorless gas. Metallic mercury is used to produce chlorine gas and caustic soda, and is also used in thermometers, dental fillings, and batteries. Mercury salts are sometimes used in skin lightening creams and as antiseptic creams and ointments.

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Sampled and Found - but EPA Has Not Established Limits

CAS NumberNameMeasured Level (ug/L)Description
7440-02-0Nickel9.6Nickel is a very abundant natural element. Pure nickel is a hard, silvery-white metal. Nickel can be combined with other metals, such as iron, copper, chromium, and zinc, to form alloys. These alloys are used to make coins, jewelry, and items such as valves and heat exchangers. Most nickel is used to make stainless steel.

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Sampled and Not Found

CAS NumberName
7440-38-2Arsenic
7440-43-9Cadmium
7440-47-3Chromium
7440-50-8Copper
7439-92-1Lead

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