EPA Tests: La. Floodwaters a Health Risk

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EPA Tests: La. Floodwaters a Health Risk


Wednesday September 14, 2005 5:16 PM

AP Photo TOK205

By JOHN HEILPRIN

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - The floodwaters in New Orleans still pose a health
risk because of dangerous levels of sewage-related bacteria and toxic
chemicals, according to government test results released Wednesday.

A minimal number of air pollutants, such as methanol, isobutylene and
freon have been found, but at levels Environmental Protection Agency
officials say do not worry them. Federal agencies aren't predicting
when the city will be habitable again.

"This is one of the biggest environmental challenges in our agency's
history. Since we haven't seen anything of this scale before, it's
hard to make specific predictions," said Eryn Witcher, an EPA
spokeswoman. The agency's top priority is a quick cleanup that is
done well and protective of people's health, she said.

The chemical samples were drawn from more than 100 pollutants on
Sept. 4 and Sept. 6 by EPA and the Louisiana Department of
Environmental Quality. Like the previous tests, they turned up high
levels of chemicals such as hexavalent chromium, arsenic and lead.

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More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5277887,00.html