Link to site: Hurricane Response 2005, updated 4/14/06

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Highlights:
- EPA has taken soil samples at potential temporary resident housing locations. They will be used to help FEMA determine the suitability of these locations for temporary housing for residents.
- EPA has a mission assignment to sample up to 25 sites for FEMA, and will continue to sample locations as requested.
• Chapperon Development Corporation Temporary Housing Location
• City Park Temporary Housing Location
• Clanton Chapel United Methodist Church in Dulac Temporary Housing Location
• Corinne Baptist Church
• Fanz Mobile Estates Park
• Judge Perez Drive Temporary Housing Location
• Jumonville Temporary Housing Location
• Lattimore Temporary Housing Location
- SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFO

At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), EPA has taken soil samples at potential temporary resident housing locations. They will be used to help FEMA determine the suitability of these locations for temporary housing for residents.

EPA has a mission assignment to sample up to 25 sites for FEMA, and will continue to sample locations as requested.
• Chapperon Development Corporation Temporary Housing Location
• City Park Temporary Housing Location
• Clanton Chapel United Methodist Church in Dulac Temporary Housing Location
• Corinne Baptist Church
• Fanz Mobile Estates Park
• Judge Perez Drive Temporary Housing Location
• Jumonville Temporary Housing Location
• Lattimore Temporary Housing Location

Chapperon Development Corporation Temporary Housing Location
On January 18, 2006, EPA collected 20 soil samples and three surface water samples at the Chapperon Development Property in Meraux, St. Bernard Parish. These soil samples were collected at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to determine the suitability of this location for use as a temporary housing site.

Low levels of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides and metals were detected in a number of the soil samples collected. However, the concentrations of chemicals detected in the samples did not exceed Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) Risk Evaluation/Corrective Action Program (RECAP) values.

Similarly, low levels of diesel range and oil range organic chemicals and metals were found in water samples collected in a creek adjacent to the property. None of the concentrations detected exceeded LDEQ drinking water standards, with the exception of thallium. Thallium levels in two samples (0.0082 and 0.0097 mg/L) exceeded the LDEQ RECAP value for drinking water of 0.002 mg/L. The water in the creek is not a source of drinking water. However, for the purposes of screening, the results of the water samples were compared to LDEQ RECAP values for drinking water.

City Park Temporary Housing Location
On January 22 and 23, 2006, EPA collected 40 soil samples at City Park in New Orleans. These samples were collected at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to determine the suitability of this location for use as a temporary housing site.

Low levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), diesel and oil range organic chemicals, pesticides and metals were detected in the samples. The levels of most of the chemicals detected fell below Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) Risk Evaluation/Corrective Action Program (RECAP) standards for residential soil.

PAHs were detected in 34 of the 40 samples collected. Benzo(a)pyrene was detected in two samples at 973 ug/kg and 1,070 ug/kg. The RECAP value for benzo(a)pyrene is 330 ug/kg. Benzo(b)fluoranthene was detected in the same two samples at 1,710 ug/kg and 1,750 ug/kg. The RECAP value for benzo(b)fluoranthene is 620 ug/kg. Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene was detected in two samples at 678 ug/kg and 697 ug/kg. The RECAP value for indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene is 620 ug/kg. Although the levels of these PAHs exceed their respective RECAP values, these levels fall within a risk range, of 1 in 1,000,000 to 1 in 10,000 risk of an individual developing cancer over a lifetime from exposure to these concentrations, which EPA has found acceptable in other contexts.

Pesticides were detected in 19 of the 40 samples collected. Dieldrin was detected in two samples at 46.4 ug/kg and 76.8 ug/kg. The RECAP value for dieldrin is 30 ug/kg. Although these levels of dieldrin exceed their RECAP value, these levels fall within a risk range, of 1 in 1,000,000 to 1 in 10,000 risk of an individual developing cancer over a lifetime from exposure to these concentrations, which EPA has found acceptable in other contexts.

Arsenic was detected 37 of the 40 samples collected. In ten of the samples, arsenic was detected at levels above the RECAP value of 12 mg/kg. In two of the samples, the concentrations detected exceeded the EPA risk range. Arsenic was detected in one sample at 40 mg/kg and in a second sample at 67.5 mg/kg. Using long-term (i.e., 30 year) residential exposure assumptions, EPA estimates exposure to an arsenic concentration of 39 mg/kg may pose a 1 in 10,000 excess lifetime cancer risk.

Clanton Chapel United Methodist Church in Dulac Temporary Housing Location

On February 18, 2006, EPA collected 4 sediment samples from the Clanton Chapel United Methodist Church in Dulac, Terrebonne Parish. EPA has collected these sediment samples at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist FEMA in its determination as to the suitability of this location for use as a temporary housing site. At the Clanton Chapel United Methodist Church location there were no contaminants detected above Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Risk Evaluation/Corrective Action Program (RECAP) levels.

Corinne Baptist Church
On December 17, 2005, sediment samples were collected at the Corinne Baptist Church, in Violet, St. Bernard Parish. These sediment samples were collected at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to determine the suitability of this location for use as a temporary housing site. At the Corinne Baptist Church location there were no contaminants detected above Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Risk Evaluation/Corrective Action Program (RECAP) levels.

Fanz Mobile Estates Park
On December 15 and 16, 2005, sediment samples were collected at the Fanz Mobile Estates Park in Toca, St. Bernard Parish. These sediment samples were collected at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to determine the suitability of this location for temporary housing. At the Fanz Mobile Estates Park there were no contaminants detected above Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Risk Evaluation/Corrective Action Program (RECAP) levels.

Judge Perez Drive Temporary Housing Location
On December 15, 2005, sediment samples were collected at a property on Judge Perez Drive in Violet, St. Bernard Parish. These sediment samples were collected at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to determine the suitability of this location for use as a temporary housing site. At the Judge Perez Drive location, lead was detected in one sample at 404 mg/kg. This level is slightly above the USEPA screening level and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Risk Evaluation/Corrective Action Program (RECAP) level of 400 mg/kg. Benzo(a)pyrene was detected in another sample at a concentration of 0.951 mg/kg. This concentration exceeds the RECAP level of 0.330 mg/kg, but falls within a risk range of 1 in 1,000,000 to 1 in 10,000 risk, of an individual developing cancer over a lifetime from exposure to those concentrations, which USEPA has found acceptable in other contexts.

Jumonville Temporary Housing Location
On January 24, 2006, EPA collected 6 soil samples at the Jumonville Temporary Housing location in Mereaux, St. Bernard Parish. These samples were collected at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to determine the suitability of this location for use as a temporary housing site.

Low levels of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), diesel and oil range organic chemicals, pesticides and metals were detected in the samples. None of the levels exceeded their respective Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) Risk Evaluation/Corrective Action Program (RECAP) values.

Lattimore Temporary Housing Location
On January 20, 2006, EPA collected 7 soil samples at the Lattimore Temporary Housing location in Mereaux, St. Bernard Parish. These samples were collected at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to determine the suitability of this location for use as a temporary housing site.

Low levels of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), diesel and oil range organic chemicals, pesticides and metals were detected in the samples. None of the levels exceeded their respective Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) Risk Evaluation/Corrective Action Program (RECAP) values.