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New Orleans Environmental Quality Test Results
Two years after Katrina, the soil in some parts of New Orleans, including schools and playgrounds, is contaminated with high levels of arsenic.
An NRDC scientific team has made repeated trips to New Orleans, beginning in October 2005, to investigate potential health threats in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The following pages present detailed results of testing by NRDC, the EPA and other groups, as well as a health advisory and cleanup recommendations for individuals and government agencies. Federal officials have failed to monitor adequately for these health risks and have neglected to warn the people of New Orleans of the threat to their safety.
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QUICK REFERENCE
Press Release 8.27.07: Arsenic Contamination Found at New Orleans Schoolyards
Press Release 2.23.06: NRDC Analyzes EPA Sediment Data
Press Release 12.28.05: Updated Mold Findings and Advice
Press Release 12.1.05: Sediment Findings
Press Release 11.16.05: Mold Findings
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RETURNING RESIDENTS
School and Playground Arsenic Advisory
Removing Mold from Your Home
Health Advisory
2007 TESTING RESULTS
Katrina's Wake: Arsenic-Laced Schools and Playgrounds Put New Orleans Children at Risk
2006 TESTING RESULTS
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Analysis (449 KB pdf)
Map (297 KB pdf)
2005 TESTING RESULTS
EPA'S SEDIMENT-CONTAMINATION DATA
Analysis (2 MB pdf)
Maps (2 MB pdf)
NRDC TEST RESULTS
Toxic Metals in the Air
Sediment Contamination
Mold
Particulate Pollution
Endotoxin
NRDC TEST RESULTS BY NEIGHBORHOOD
Orleans Parish
Bywater (Agriculture St. Landfill)
French Quarter
Gentilly
Lakeview
Lower Ninth Ward
Mid-City
New Orleans East
Uptown/Carrollton
Jefferson Parish
Metairie
St. Bernard Parish
Chalmette
Other
Mandeville
RELATED PAGES
On the Ground in New Orleans: Photo Journal
Environmental Policy Discussions After Hurricane Katrina
NRDC'S PARTNERS IN THE NEW ORLEANS AREA
Advocates for Environmental Human Rights
Common Ground
Deep South Center for Environmental Justice
Louisiana Bucket Brigade
Louisiana Environmental Action Network
People's Hurricane Relief Fund
Physicians for Social Responsibility-Louisiana
Sierra Club, Delta Chapter
Holy Cross Neighborhood Association
last revised 8.24.07
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