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Hurricane Katrina: Louisiana - EPA Response Update

Release Date: 9/19/2005
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

     EPA mobile labs are preparing hundreds of sample kits for private water well owners and will distribute those kits to the Parish Health Units.

     Teams collected surface water samples at 14 locations in Jefferson, Orleans, and St. Tammany Parishes, and outfall water samples at eight locations in Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard Parishes.  Fifteen of the 29 pumps around the city were in operation.  Teams collected flood water samples at 11 locations in Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard Parishes.

     Sediment sampling continues; teams collected sediment samples at 23 locations in Orleans and St. Bernard Parishes.  

     Responders continue to collect household hazardous waste and orphan containers in Mandeville and Slidell.

     An EPA Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer (TAGA) unit conducted air sampling in St. Bernard and St. Tammany Parishes.  The second TAGA bus remained at a fixed location in St. Bernard Parish and analyzed samples collected by roving sample teams.

     Teams performed radiation surveys at 11 fixed facilities in Orleans Parish.  All readings were below background levels.