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New Orleans Area Environmental Quality Test Results

Sampling Results: Mid-City

Results for: Mold | Endotoxin | Sediment | Particulates

Though Gert Town, where the abandoned Thompson-Hayward industrial facility is located, is part of the larger Mid-City area, sediment sampling results for Gert Town are summarized with those from Uptown/Carrollton neighborhoods near the facility. Click here to go to the Uptown/Carrollton page. Results of testing in Gert Town for particulate pollution appear below.

	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 Mid-City.

10/19/05

Telemachus and Canal, Mid-City (outdoor)
102,000 spores/m3 (daily estimated average based on 6 hours of continuous volumetric sampling)
22% Cladosporium
71% Aspergillus/Penicillium

11/15/05 - 11/16/05

Hagan near Orleans, Bayou St. John(outdoor)
83,000 spores/m3 (daily estimated average based on 21 hours of continuous volumetric sampling)
61% Cladosporium
27% Aspergillus/Penicillium

Hagan near Orleans, Bayou St. John (indoor, minimally flooded, inhabited)
11,000 spores/m3 (daily estimated average based on 24 hours of continuous volumetric sampling)
39% Cladosporium
50% Aspergillus/Penicillium

Note: According to the National Allergy Bureau, outdoor air mold counts over 50,000 spores per cubic meter (spores/m3) are "Very High." Indoor air mold counts over 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. Indoor mold spore concentrations are typically far higher when dust is disturbed in a house. These samples were taken when there was no disturbance going on and may therefore underestimate the true spore concentrations.

ENDOTOXIN

We collected one outdoor sample for endotoxin in Mid-City.

Telemachus and Canal, Mid-City
5.4 EU/m3

Note: Normal background levels 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).

Treme/Lafitte

NRDC collected one sample for general analysis on Treme Street. The level of arsenic in this sample would trigger soil remediation according to the Region 6 EPA guidelines. The arsenic level of 13.3 mg/kg is 34 times the EPA soil remediation level. The lead level in the sediment sample taken on Treme Street was also extremely high: 860 mg/kg, which is more than double the EPA Region 6 soil cleanup level. The EPA took a sediment sample in that same area, at Treme and St. Phillip, and found similarly high lead levels. These sampling results indicate a lead contamination problem in this area that requires immediate cleanup.

Treme/Lafitte Results, NRDC Sampling
CONTAMINANTS	NUMBER OF DETECTIONS (one site tested)	SITES EXCEEDING EPA REGION 6 OR LDEQ CLEANUP STANDARD
Metals
Arsenic	1	Treme St. and Gov. Nicholls St.
Lead	1	Treme
Chromium	1	None
Cadmium	1	None
Mercury	1	None
Industrial Chemicals
DEHP	1	None

Mid-City

NRDC analyzed some EPA sediment testing results for Mid-City. We selected eight EPA sediment samples randomly in four quadrants of the neighborhood.

For arsenic, the EPA found an average level of 18 mg/kg in these samples. The levels in the agency's testing ranged widely, from nondetectable to 78 mg/kg. Seven of these samples exceeded the EPA Region 6 cleanup standard for arsenic of 0.39 mg/kg, which is based on cancer risk. Three of the eight samples exceeded the LDEQ soil "background" level for arsenic of 7 mg/kg.

PARTICULATE POLLUTION

Gert Town

NRDC sampled for particulate matter for nearly one hour on November 14, 2005, in the Gert Town neighborhood in New Orleans. The weather was clear with very little wind, and there was no visible haze. Some streets had a residue of sediment on the pavement, and there was some dust when vehicles traveled down these streets. Overall the air quality was very good during the time we sampled, but the levels peaked at potentially significant levels over 50 ug/m3. People working in dusty areas, or engaged in cleanup or demolition activities, should wear respiratory protection.

Monitoring Results

	11/14/05
Average (overall)	32 ug/m3
Minimum	20 ug/m3
Maximum	66 ug/m3

Gert Town PM 10, November 14, 2005

Mid-City

NRDC sampled for particulate matter for nearly an hour on October 19 and again for about three hours on November 14, 2005, in the Mid-City neighborhood in New Orleans. The weather was clear with no wind, and there was no visible haze. A few streets were somewhat dusty, mostly from building debris, and there was some dust when vehicles traveled down these streets. Overall the air quality was very good during the time we were monitoring, but during some brief periods of time the levels of particulate matter rose to significant levels near or over 100 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3). People working in the dusty parts of the neighborhood -- near where building renovation is occurring -- and anyone who is doing cleanup or demolition should wear respiratory protection.

Monitoring Results