New Orleans Area Environmental Quality Test Results

Sampling Results: Lakeview

Results for: Mold | Endotoxin | Sediment | Particulates

	SAMPLING LOCATIONS
	Maps on these pages show NRDC sample locations for mold, sediment and endotoxin. NRDC particulate samples were taken at multiple locations. Results of sendiment sampling by the EPA and others are summarized on these pages but locations are not marked on the maps. SEE AREA MAP

MOLD

We collected two outdoor samples and one indoor sample for mold in Lakeview.

10/18/15

Mouton and Orleans (outdoor)
32,000 spores/m3 (daily estimated average based on 6 hours of continuous volumetric sampling)
48% Cladosporium
31% Aspergillus/Penicillium

Canal and Porteus (outdoor)
40,000 spores/m3 (daily estimated average based on 6 hours of continuous volumetric sampling)
29% Cladosporium
57% Aspergillus/Penicillium

Canal and Porteus (indoor)
638,000 spores/m3 (daily estimated average based on 6 hours of continuous volumetric sampling)
6% Cladosporium
83% Aspergillus/Penicillium

Note: According to the National Allergy Bureau, outdoor air mold counts between 13,000 and 49,999 spores per cubic meter (spores/m3) are "High." Indoor air mold counts above 1,300 spores/m3 indicate that a building is "moldy." Cladosporium and Aspergillus/Penicillium are known to cause health effects in humans, including respiratory disease.

Concentrations of some molds are typically higher at night. These calculations, based on 6-hour continuous volumetric measurement during daytime hours, may underestimate the true 24-hour concentration.

ENDOTOXIN

We collected two outdoor samples and one indoor sample for endotoxin in Lakeview.

Mouton and Orleans (outdoor)
6.2 EU/m3

Canal and Porteus (outdoor)
3.0 EU/m3

Canal and Porteus (indoor)
4.5 EU/m3

Note: Normal background areas of endotoxin reported in many areas of the country are below 1 EU/m3. Levels above 10-28 EU/m3 may be associated with long-term declines in lung function after chronic exposure. Levels of 45 EU/m3 have been associated with decreases in lung function after exposures as short as one day.

SEDIMENT CONTAMINATION

For written and mapped analyses of extensive EPA sediment sampling, click here (pdf).

NRDC collected two sediment samples in Lakeview. The average level of arsenic that NRDC found in this neighborhood was 14.5 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of soil. This is 37 times higher than the Region 6 EPA soil cleanup level for residential areas, which is set at 0.39 mg/kg to protect against cancer.

• For arsenic, the EPA found an average level of 18.6 mg/kg in these samples. The levels in the agency's testing ranged from 2.8 mg/kg to 56 mg/kg. All of these samples exceeded the EPA Region 6 cleanup standard for arsenic of 0.39 mg/kg, which is based on cancer risk. Six of the eight samples exceeded the LDEQ soil "background" level of arsenic of 7 mg/kg.
  
  

PARTICULATE POLLUTION

NRDC sampled for particulate matter for nearly two hours on October 18, 2005, in the Lakeview neighborhood in New Orleans. The weather was clear with almost no wind, and there was no visible haze. Some streets were visibly dusty with a mixture of sediment and building debris, and there was significant dust when vehicles traveled down these streets. In addition, there is a dump located in the neighborhood and the area immediately around the dump was somewhat dusty. Overall the air quality in this neighborhood was fairly good during the time we were monitoring, but during some brief periods of time the levels of fine particulate matter rose to levels near or over 100 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3). People working in the dusty parts of the neighborhood -- on side streets or near the dump -- and anyone engaged in cleanup or demolition should wear respiratory protection.

Monitoring Results

Lakeview PM 10, October 18, 2005

Lakeview PM 10, October 18, 2005
Across from dump site

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