A Louisiana environmental group said Tuesday that the cake-like muck that Hurricane Katrina dumped in much of St. Bernard Parish is loaded with toxic substances in amounts exceeding federal and state recommended levels, and the group contends that federal and parish officials are not giving returning residents enough warning about potential health risks. But the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it has found no reason to warn of health concerns, and St. Bernard Parish officials said they have told residents to take precautions as needed to return into the area.
The criticism from the Louisiana Bucket Brigade came as the group released results from its own soil testing last month in Chalmette and Meraux. Wilma Subra, a technical analyst who reviewed the results for the group, said substances ranging from the carcinogen benzene and other petroleum-based chemicals to toxic metals such as arsenic and chromium were found in excessive levels at 10 of 14 sites sampled.
Subra said some of the toxins came from the bottom of canals and marshes that were washed into the parish by Hurricane Katrina’s storm surge. Also, some of the contamination in some areas can be linked to an oil spill at the Murphy Oil Refinery in Meraux, Subra said. [Read more - NOLA]
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