Bacteria, Lead Taint Water in New Orleans

[jpak]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/bw-other/2005/sep/15/091505369.html

New government tests show dangerous amounts of sewage-related bacteria and lead from unknown sources in the floodwaters in New Orleans, and high levels of chemicals such as hexavalent chromium, used in industrial plating, and arsenic, used in treating wood.

Environmental Protection Agency officials are taking samples daily at sites around New Orleans for biological pathogens and more than 100 chemical pollutants, including pesticides, metals and industrial chemicals.

Elevated levels of E. coli and other coliform bacteria that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and fever have been found at up to 109 times the EPA's safe swimming limit. Lead, which can cause nerve damage, was found in one sample at 56 times the EPA's limit for drinking water; two other samples had it at nearly twice and more than three times the limit.

Five Superfund sites in the region containing some of the nation's worst toxic messes were flooded, and one of them, a landfill where residents took trash for decades, remains underwater and can't be reached. Among all the flooded areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, there are 31 Superfund sites.

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[phantom power]

1. Isn't hexavalent chromium a nasty carcinogen?

[Submariner]

2. Extremely toxic to fish at 10ug/L

and causes severe nerve system damage in children.