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Flood Water Test Results: Chemical Testing
September 4, 2005
Test Results
Site 16283
- Sampled and Found - Exceeding EPA Limits
- Sampled and Found - but Not Exceeding EPA Limits
- Sample and Found - but EPA Has Not Established Limits
- Sampled and Not Found
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.
Test Results
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- Sampled and Found - Exceeding EPA Limits
- Sampled and Found - but Not Exceeding EPA Limits
- Sample and Found - but EPA Has Not Established Limits
- Sampled and Not Found
Sampled and Found - Exceeding EPA limits
CAS Number | Name | Measured Level (ug/L) | EPA Limit (ug/L) | Description |
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Sampled and Found - but not Exceeding EPA limits
CAS Number | Name | Measured Level (ug/L) | EPA Limit (ug/L) | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
7439-97-6 | Mercury | 0.3 | 2 | Mercury 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. |
Sampled and Found - but EPA Has Not Established Limits
CAS Number | Name | Measured Level (ug/L) | Description |
---|---|---|---|
7440-02-0 | Nickel | 9.6 | Nickel 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. |