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Flood-Water Sampling Chemical Data Available

Release Date: 09/11/2005
Contact Information:

Contact: Eryn Witcher, 202-436-2215 / [email protected]

(Washington, D.C.-Sept. 11, 2005) The Environmental Protection Agency in coordination with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality today posted data from New Orleans flood water chemical samples collected from six locations on September 3. The data have been reviewed and validated through a quality assurance process to ensure scientific accuracy. Chemical results indicate that the concentration of lead exceeded drinking water action levels. These levels are of concern if a child ingests large amounts of the flood water. Based on the chemical analyses and the presence of high levels of E. coli, EPA and CDC provided health guidance on September 7 to avoid human contact with the flood water when possible. EPA in coordination with federal, state and local agencies will continue to release data as it becomes available. A map displaying sampling locations is available on: https://www.epa.gov/katrina/testresults/chem/090305/chem2005_09_03.html