New Orleans Area Environmental Quality Test Results

Sampling Results: New Orleans East

Results for: Mold | Endotoxin | Sediment | Particulates

	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 three outdoor samples and one indoor sample for mold in New Orleans East.

10/16/05

Aberdeen and Crowder, Little Woods (outdoor)
55,000 spores/m3 (daily estimated average based on 6 hours of continuous volumetric sampling)
43% Cladosporium
20% Aspergillus/Penicillium

Eastover Subdivision, Read Blvd. East (outdoor)
53,000 spores/m3 (daily estimated average based on 6 hours of continuous volumetric sampling)
51% Cladosporium
19% Aspergillus/Penicillium

11/15/05

Aberdeen and Crowder, Little Woods (outdoor)
75,000 spores/m3 (daily estimated average based on 15 hours of continuous volumetric sampling)
56% Cladosporium
23% Aspergillus/Penicillium

Aberdeen and Crowder, Little Woods (indoor, fully remediated)
100,000 spores/m3 (daily estimated average based on 4 hours of continuous volumetric sampling)
39% Cladosporium
39% Aspergillus/Penicillium
Stachybotrys detected at less than 1%

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. Stachybotrys , also known as "toxic mold" or "black mold," has been reported to be associated with a wide range of health complaints, including immune and neurologic problems and infant pulmonary hemorrhage, but these results remain controversial. 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 two outdoor samples for endotoxin in New Orleans East.

Aberdeen and Crowder, Little Woods (outdoor)
8.3 EU/m3

Eastover Subdivision, Read Blvd. East (outdoor)
0.6 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).

Little Woods

LEAN (Louisiana Environmental Action Network) sponsored one sample on September 16, 2005, at Morrison near Foch Road. The sample was collected by Altamont Environmental, Inc. and was analyzed by Pace Analytical Services in St. Rose, Louisiana. The sample contained arsenic at 11 mg/kg, a level 28 times greater than the Region 6 EPA soil cleanup level for residential neighborhoods.

NRDC selected eight EPA sediment samples for analysis randomly in four quadrants of the Little Woods neighborhood.

• 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 1.9 mg/kg to 39 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.
  
  

Plum Orchard/West Lake Forest/Read Boulevard West

NRDC selected eight EPA sediment samples for analysis randomly in four quadrants of the Plum Orchard/West Lake Forest/Read Boulevard West neighborhoods.

• For arsenic, the EPA found an average level of 11 mg/kg in these samples. The levels in the agency's testing ranged from 1.2 mg/kg to 23 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. Five of the eight samples exceeded the LDEQ soil 'background' level of arsenic of 7 mg/kg.
  
  

Read Boulevard East

The EPA took approximately 18 sediment samples in the Read Boulevard East section of New Orleans East. The EPA results show detections for a variety of heavy metals, petroleum chemicals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and some pesticides, industrial solvents, and phthalates (chemicals in plastics). These contaminants could pose a significant long-term health risk to returning residents in this neighborhood.

• Arsenic levels were excessively high in this area. The EPA found an average arsenic level of 11 mg/kg in these samples. The levels in the agency's testing ranged from nondetectable to 15.7 mg/kg. Nine of the samples exceeded the EPA Region 6 cleanup standard for arsenic of 0.39 mg/kg, which is based on cancer risk. Eight of the ten samples exceeded the LDEQ soil "background" level of arsenic of 7 mg/kg.
  
  
• Twelve of the 18 sites contained one or more PAHs in the sediment above levels that could trigger soil cleanup according to Region 6 EPA. One site contained the most hazardous form of PAH at a level more than 500 times higher than the cleanup level. PAHs are cancer-causing chemicals from soot and petroleum-based products.
  
  
• One sample had a notably high mercury level, about 1,000 times higher than the samples taken in other areas. If this result is correct, it requires further investigation to locate the possible source of the mercury.

Pines Village

The EPA took approximately 10 samples in the Pines Village section of New Orleans East. The EPA results show detections for a variety of heavy metals, petroleum chemicals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and some pesticides, industrial solvents, and phthalates (chemicals in plastics). These contaminants could pose a significant long-term health risk to returning residents in this neighborhood.

• The EPA found an average arsenic level of 8.9 mg/kg in these samples. The levels in the agency's testing ranged from nondetectable to 21 mg/kg. Ten 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 fifteen samples exceeded the LDEQ soil "background" level of arsenic of 7 mg/kg.
  
  
• Five of the 18 sites contained one or more PAHs in the sediment above levels that could trigger soil cleanup according to Region 6 EPA.

PARTICULATE POLLUTION

NRDC sampled for particulate matter for over an hour on November 15, 2005, in the Little Woods area of New Orleans East. 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 reasonably good during the time we sampled, but the levels peaked at significant levels of over 100 ug/m3. People working in dusty areas, or engaged in cleanup or demolition activities, should wear respiratory protection.

Monitoring Results

New Orleans East PM 10, November 15, 2005

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