New Orleans Environmental Quality Test Results

Sediment Contamination Results by Neighborhood

This section summarizes results for samples collected in October and November, 2005 by NRDC and other independent testers, as well as a limited number of EPA samples. For written and mapped analyses of extensive EPA sediment sampling, click here (pdf).

Uptown/Carrollton

Pesticides

NRDC collected three sediment samples specifically for analysis of pesticides in the Marlyville/Fountainebleau neighborhood of Uptown/Carrollton near the abandoned Thompson-Hayward industrial facility. (The facility itself is on the border of adjacent Gert Town.)

The Thompson-Hayward facility was previously a pesticide blending company and community residents were concerned that contaminants may have been carried from the site by flood waters. The samples indicate that contaminants have indeed traveled from the site to the west toward nearby homes.

The level of DDT and one of its breakdown products in the sediment exceeded the Region 6 EPA soil cleanup levels by approximately twofold. Two other organochlorine pesticides, dieldrin and heptachlor epoxide (a breakdown product of heptachlor) were also significantly in excess of the cleanup levels. In fact, the dieldrin level was nearly sevenfold higher than the regulatory cleanup level.

All of these pesticides have been banned for use in the United States for more than 25 years, and they are now banned worldwide by international treaty because they are so toxic and environmentally persistent.

The pesticide levels in one sample taken outside the fence at the Thompson-Hayward facility, on Burdette Street near Colapissa, had numerous banned pesticides in excess of EPA soil cleanup levels.

Industrial Chemicals and Heavy Metals

NRDC collected three sediment samples for general analysis at Xavier University in Gert Town and in adjacent Marlyville/Fountainebleau. The levels of arsenic in all of the samples NRDC collected would trigger soil remediation according to the Region 6 EPA guidelines. The average level of arsenic that NRDC found in this neighborhood was 17.2 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of soil. This is 44 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. The highest arsenic level in any our samples -- nearly 20 mg/kg -- was found in this area at Colapissa and Pine streets.

• For arsenic, the EPA found an average level of 3.1 mg/kg in these samples. The levels in the agency's testing ranged from nondetectable to 8.3 mg/kg. All but one of these samples exceeded the EPA Region 6 cleanup standard for arsenic of 0.39 mg/kg, which is based on cancer risk. One of the samples exceeded the LDEQ soil "background" level of arsenic of 7 mg/kg. The EPA did not test for arsenic near Colapissa and Pine streets, where NRDC's sampling identified very high arsenic levels.
  
  

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.

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.
  
  

Garden District

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

• For arsenic, the EPA found an average level of 6.7 mg/kg in these samples. The levels in the agency's testing ranged widely, from nondetectable to 11 mg/kg. Seven of these eight samples exceeded the EPA Region 6 cleanup standard for arsenic of 0.39 mg/kg, which is based on cancer risk. Four of the eight samples exceeded the LDEQ soil "background" level of arsenic of 7 mg/kg.
  
  

Lower Ninth Ward

NRDC analyzed some EPA sediment testing results for the Lower Ninth Ward. We selected nine EPA sediment samples randomly in four quadrants of the neighborhood.

• For arsenic, the EPA found an average level of 9.6 mg/kg in these samples. The levels in the agency's testing ranged from 2.6 mg/kg to 20 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.
  
  

Lakeview

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.
  
  

Gentilly

NRDC collected two sediment samples in and around Gentilly, one at Dillard University and one near the St. Bernard Development Housing Project in nearby Mid-City. The average level of arsenic that NRDC found in these samples was 7 mg/kg of soil. This is nearly 18 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.

To compare our arsenic results with EPA testing, NRDC selected eight EPA sediment samples randomly in four quadrants of the neighborhood.

• For arsenic, the EPA found an average level of 9.8 mg/kg in these samples. The levels in the agency's testing ranged from 5.9 mg/kg to 24 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.
  
  

Bywater

LEAN (Louisiana Environmental Action Network) sponsored one sample on September 16, 2005, at North Claiborne and St. Roch. The sample was collected by Altamont Environmental, Inc. and was analyzed by Pace Analytical Services in St. Rose, Louisiana. The arsenic level in the sample was 29.3 mg/kg, which is 75 times higher than the EPA soil cleanup standard. Numerous cancer-causing polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were detected. One of these, a chemical known as benzo(a)pyrene, was found at a level more than threefold higher than the Region 6 EPA soil cleanup level. The LEAN sampling also detected a variety of industrial chemicals such as benzene, acetone, methylene chloride and 2-butanone. The levels of these chemicals were below government cleanup standards.

Agriculture Street Landfill Superfund Site

Wilma Subra of Subra Company tested sediment at two sites near the Agriculture Street Landfill, a Superfund hazardous waste cleanup site, on October 1, 2005. In addition to the elevated arsenic levels that were found in most New Orleans sediment samples, the testing also revealed disturbingly high levels of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) -- cancer-causing chemicals from soot and many petroleum-based products. The contamination in one sample, at Higgins Boulevard and St. Ferdinand Street at the local senior citizens' center, exceeded the Region 6 EPA and LDEQ soil cleanup standards for four PAHs. The level of benzo(a)anthracene exceeded the LDEQ and EPA standards by 50 percent, the benzo(a)fluoranthene contamination exceeded the agency standards by twofold, while the benzo(a)pyrene contamination exceeded the LDEQ standard by threefold, and the EPA standard by nearly twentyfold. These contaminants are likely due to leachate from the Agriculture Street Landfill Superfund site. On October 1 when the sample was collected, a thick, oily, iridescent wet sediment was leaking from the landfill and spreading across the street and to the grounds of the senior center. The leachate appeared to originate from the undeveloped land across from the senior center, and also appeared to well up from under ground near the steps of the senior center. In addition to the PAHs, the soil testing revealed significant bacterial contamination at this site, with elevated levels of total coliform bacteria, salmonella, and staphylococcus aureus. These bacteria are infectious to humans, and can cause gastrointestinal infections and skin infections.

LEAN (Louisiana Environmental Action Network) sponsored one sample on September 16, 2005, at Almonaster and Liberty Terrace, which is also located in the area of the Agriculture Street Landfill Superfund site. This sample was collected by Altamont Environmental, Inc. and was analyzed by Pace Analytical Services in St. Rose, Louisiana. The sample contained arsenic at 5.2 mg/kg, a level more than 13 times higher than the Region 6 EPA soil cleanup standard. Ten cancer-causing PAHs were detected, including benzo(a)pyrene at a level nearly threefold higher than the EPA cleanup standard. The LEAN sampling also detected a variety of industrial chemicals in that area, such as benzene, acetone, methylene chloride, and 2-butanone. The levels of these chemicals were below government cleanup standards.

NRDC also reviewed EPA sampling data from the area of the Agriculture Street Landfill Superfund site. The EPA took approximately 10 samples in the Desire neighborhood around the landfill. The EPA results show detections of a variety of heavy metals, petroleum chemicals, PAHs, pesticides, industrial solvents, and phthalates (chemicals in plastics). These contaminants could pose a significant long-term health risk to returning residents in this neighborhood.

• Cancer-causing PAHs were notably high compared to many other areas sampled and were above the level at which Region 6 EPA may require soil cleanup. The level of one of the most hazardous PAHs (benzo(a) pyrene) was more than 200 times higher than the EPA cleanup level at three locations in this area.
  
  
• Arsenic levels also were above EPA safety levels, in some cases up to 70 times higher. Arsenic is known to cause cancer in humans, and also has many other serious health effects. The EPA found an average arsenic level of 12 mg/kg in these samples. The levels in the agency's testing ranged from 3 mg/kg to 24 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.
  
  
• The levels of DEHP (a chemical found in some plastics) were also higher in this area. DEHP is considered an endocrine disruptor and can interfere with the normal development of the male reproductive system.

New Orleans East -- 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.
  
  

New Orleans East -- 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.
  
  

New Orleans East -- 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.

New Orleans East -- 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.

St. Bernard Parish

The Louisiana Bucket Brigade took a total of 14 samples on two different dates in Chalmette, St. Bernard Parish.

• Toxic metals -- lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium and chromium -- were found in most samples. The amount of arsenic in many areas was higher than the "minimum risk level" established by the federal government and was above the level established by the Region 6 EPA for soil cleanup in residential neighborhoods.
  
  
• Other contaminants in the sediment included phthalates (chemicals in plastics), several industrial solvents (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone and carbon disulfide) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are cancer-causing chemicals from soot and petroleum-based products.

Ten samples were taken in Chalmette, St. Bernard Parish, near the Murphy Oil refinery on September 29, 2005, and analyzed by Analytical Services Inc.

Four samples were taken in Chalmette, St. Bernard Parish, on September 19, 2005, and analyzed by Columbia Analytical Services Inc.

For further information about arsenic, NRDC analyzed 13 EPA sediment samples from St. Bernard Parish.

• The EPA found an average level of 12 mg/kg of arsenic in these samples. The levels in the agency's testing ranged from 2.2 mg/kg to 21 mg/kg. Twelve of these samples exceeded the EPA Region 6 cleanup standard for arsenic of 0.39 mg/kg, which is based on cancer risk. Eleven of the 13 samples exceeded the LDEQ soil "background" level of arsenic of 7 mg/kg.
  
  

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