INFORMATIONAL SESSION

Tom Harris LDEQ M.S.P.H.

Environmental Technology Division

Overview of Environmental SamplingPost Hurricane Katrina

SEARCH AND RESCUE

• Teaming with the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association, LDEQ employees aided in the rescue of approximately 480 people from the hurricane affected area.

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTWater Sampling–New Orleans Area

FLOODWATER SAMPLINGNew Orleans Area Sampling

• 690 floodwater samples taken• 192 compounds analyzed per each sample• Volatile and semi-volatile organics,metals,

pesticides, herbicides, PCBs & petroleum hydrocarbons

• Floodwater sample results were compared to Lifetime Drinking Water Standards!!!

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTNew Orleans Floodwaters–Toxic Soup?

• There was never any “toxic soup” in the floodwaters of New Orleans

HISTORIC STORMWATER DISCHARGE VERSUS FLOODWATER DISCHARGEConcentration Levels in Floodwaters

• Post-Katrina floodwaters were pumped into canals and then discharged to Lake Pontchartrain

• These floodwater discharge concentrations were compared to historical permitted discharge monitoring reports for stormwater

• Comparison of maximum detected results revealed very little difference between historical norms and post-Katrina levels

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTSurface Waters–Lake Pontchartrain and Surrounding Waters

• Used 49 historic water quality sites plus 9 new sites to assess impacts to area water bodies

• Conducted more than 55,000

analyses for water quality

• Conducted biotoxicity testing on

floodwaters pumped into the lake

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTSurface Waters–Canal Outfalls• No toxicity was observed in 100 tests

results of fish larvae

• 7 out of 100 test results for invertebrates indicated toxicity (3 canal sites)

• Retesting at the 3 canal sites has shown no further toxicity levels

• All other parameters at or near normal

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTSediments

• Considerable sampling and analysis of sediments deposited throughout the flooded areas was

done to address public health concerns

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTSediment/Soil Sampling• Joint effort among USEPA, LDEQ, CDC,

ATSDR, LDHH and the New Orleans Health Department

• Over 1500 soil/sediment samples have been collected to date• Samples analyzed for over 200 chemicals• Tiered approach with multiple phases

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTPhase I Sediment Sampling• Sampling began as floodwaters receded• 450 biased samples were collected to identify

possible releases• Samples were collected from sediments with

stains or odors and from curbs/storm drains and drainage paths

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTSediment Sampling

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTSediment Sampling

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTSediment Sampling

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTSediment Sampling

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTSediment Sampling

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTPhase II Sediment Sampling• Objective - more extensively characterize

chemical nature of sediment in areas with heavy deposits

• 9th Ward and St. Bernard Parish (excluding the area impacted by the Murphy Oil spill)

• 282 samples collected • Compared to protective residential standards

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTSediment Sampling

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTSediment Sampling

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTPhase III Sediment Sampling

• 43 sample locations out of 770 taken from earlier phases identified as localized areas that may require additional evaluation

• Arsenic, Lead or Benzo(a)pyrene• The neighborhood around the Thompson-

Hayward site was also identified for further evaluation

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTPhase III Focused Sampling

• To determine if elevated levels were isolated or representative of a larger area

• ~10 composite samples within a 500’ radius of each of the 43 original sample locations

• Compared results to long-term Residential Standards (30 year, children)

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTSediment Sampling

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTPhase III Findings–Arsenic

• No Phase III arsenic samples concentration were above residential levels

• Arsenic concentrations are not expected to cause health impacts to children or adults in a residential setting

• No follow-up is necessary for arsenic

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTPhase III Findings–Benzo(a)pyrene• One composite sample in the Agriculture

Street landfill area exceeded EPA’s acceptable risk range for B(a)P assuming long-term residential exposure.

• All other Phase III samples were below residential levels

• Not a widespread problem, limited to a small area – EPA is currently working with HANO to determine future property use.

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTPhase III Findings–Thompson-Hayward• 9 composite samples taken in the

surrounding neighborhood• Analyzed for complete spectrum of

pesticides, no results exceeded residential levels

• Results indicated no adverse health effects for long-term residential exposure.

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTPhase III Findings–Lead• Lead concentrations exceeded residential

screening levels in 57 of 147 composite samples where lead had been detected in earlier samples

• Samples results ranged from below 400 mg/kg to 3960 mg/kg

• Results are consistent with historical levels in New Orleans, with national studies and are not hurricane related.

• Detailed chemical analysis determined the source of lead contamination in these areas to be lead based paint

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTSediment Sampling

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTLead Issues• Need to address the source of lead: housing

stock built prior to 1978• USEPA, LDEQ, LDHH and City Health

Department are working together to address lead issues.

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTPhase IV Sediment Sampling• Last phase of focused sampling: • February 2006 – June 2006

• Objective - more extensively characterize chemical nature of sediments. Over 700 samples collected. No human health issues discovered.

• Petroleum hydrocarbons are rapidly degrading, as expected

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENTSummary• More than 1,800 New Orleans area sediment samples

have been collected and analyzed for a wide variety of chemicals

• Soil chemistry post-Katrina is little changed from pre-Katrina conditions, and levels of contaminants are similar to other older urban centers around the country.

• Other than pre-existing lead in areas with older housing, soils in New Orleans do not pose health risk to residents, children or sensitive sub-populations.

• Scientists from USEPA, CDC, ATSDR, LDHH and LDEQ have worked together in this data assessment.

INFORMATIONAL SESSION

Nancy Jones US EPA Incident Commander

Household Hazardous WasteCollection and Recycling

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS DEBRIS COLLECTION

• Collection Site Locations• What was collected • How it was collected• Where it was disposed• Total of Collected Items

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS DEBRIS COLLECTION

• Collection Site Locations

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS DEBRIS COLLECTION

• What was collected

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS DEBRIS COLLECTION

• How it was collected

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS DEBRIS COLLECTION

• Where it was disposed

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS DEBRIS COLLECTION TOTALS

• Waste Disposal more than 10,000 tons

• Hazardous Waste Collection Items

included Drums, Propane Tanks, Large and Small containers

• Over 4,000,000 items

RECYCLING

• Electronics: More than 700,000 items• White Goods: More than 400,000• Propane Tanks, Cylinders, Batteries:

For Orleans Parish – 75% of the items were recycled

CORPORATE CITIZENSHIPE-CYCLING

• EPA Partners With Best Buy To Recycle Electronics As A Part of Ongoing Hurricane Katrina Cleanup Efforts

• EPA and Best Buy have teamed up to increase collection and safe recycling of computers This month, Best Buy also will collect and pay for the environmentally safe recycling of computers, monitors, and televisions that are currently held in certain staging areas in the county.

CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP

• EPA and Dell To Recycle Electronic Equipment Destroyed by Hurricane Katrina

• EPA and Dell Inc. are teaming up to increase collection and safe recycling of computers and other electronic equipment destroyed by the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Consumers in the New Orleans region can drop off any brand of old or unwanted computer equipment…….

WHITE GOODS

• Freon Extraction

PROPANE TANKS, CYLINDERS AND BATTERIES

IN COMPARISON

• Hazardous Materials Collected: Would fill up Hazardous Materials Collected: Would fill up about 700 above ground swimming poolsabout 700 above ground swimming pools

• White Goods: Laid end to end, the White Goods: Laid end to end, the refrigerators would stretch, from New refrigerators would stretch, from New Orleans to Dallas. If Stood up, they would Orleans to Dallas. If Stood up, they would occupy the space of 63 football fieldsoccupy the space of 63 football fields

• Total Debris: Would fill up the Superdome Total Debris: Would fill up the Superdome almost 14 timesalmost 14 times

INFORMATIONAL SESSION

Dr. Chuck Carr Brown LDEQ Assitant Secretary

Office of Environmental Services

Debris ManagementProgress Reports

HURRICANE KATRINA AND RITA WIND TRACKS

KATRINA FLOODING IN NEW ORLEANS

STORM DEBRIS MANAGEMENT:

STORM DEBRIS MANAGEMENTStorm Debris Quantity Estimates

Based upon Corps of Engineer Debris Models:• Hurricane Katrina generated an estimated 22 million tons (55 million cubic yards) of debris.

• Hurricane Rita generated an estimated 2.6 million tons (6 million cubic yards) of debris.

STORM DEBRIS MANAGEMENTDebris Management Sites

Debris management sites have been identified by the local parishes and evaluated and approved by DEQ.These sites are designated forspecific purposes:• Woodwaste Burning Operations• Woodwaste Chipping and Grinding• Construction and Demolition Staging or Disposal• Staging of Boats, Vehicles, White Goods• Staging of Household Hazardous Waste

The current debris management sites have been used to process 68% of Katrina generated debris and 99% of Rita generated debris.• 402 approved sites in the state• 216 for Katrina debris• 186 for Rita debris

STORM DEBRIS MANAGEMENTOther Storm Debris Waste Streams

• Electronic Goods disposal

(Computers, Televisions, etc.)• White Goods-Katrina & Rita (USACE;

Refrigerators, freezers, A/C, W/D, Stoves,Water Heaters, DW, Water fountains, microwaves)

• Freon Extraction• Orphan Containers• Hazardous Waste (Drums, propane tanks,

cylinders, other large/small containers)

STORM DEBRIS MANAGEMENTElectronic Goods (E-Goods)

• Approximately 512,000 collected to date• Approximately $3 Million Dollars

• e-Goods at curbside

• e-Goods prepared for recycling

STORM DEBRIS MANAGEMENTWhite Goods

• 810,833 Processed to Date• Refrigerant containing appliances (RCAs) such as:

refrigerators, freezers and air conditioning window units will be handled in a manner which will prevent a release of refrigerants.

• More than 50,000 pounds of Freon extracted • Approximately $3.2 Million Dollars

STORM DEBRIS MANAGEMENTOrphan Containers

• 3.3 million processed

as of May 14, 2006

STORM DEBRIS MANAGEMENTHousehold Hazardous Waste

• Collecting curbside and on request

• Working with debris removal contractors

• Transporting to separation facilities

• Recycling and disposing

• Over 14.3 Million pounds collected to date

STORM DEBRIS MANAGEMENTDemolitions

• An estimated 140,000-160,000 homes in Southeast Louisiana received flood damage

• All White Goods (refrigerators, stoves, washer-dryers, etc) will be removed from each home for recycling

• All thermostats will be removed because they contain Mercury• All smoke detectors will be removed because they contain

small amounts of radioactive materials• Household Hazardous Waste (pesticides, bleach, solvents,

etc.) will be removed from each home for disposal

STORM DEBRIS MANAGEMENTVehicles

• 20,000 uninsured/ 12,000 tagged and towed• An estimated 350,000 vehicles will have to be recycled• Vehicles brought to the storage areas will be site tagged, inventoried in

by license plate, make, model, color and VIN.• Vehicles will be staged and site tagged for easy retrieval.• Site operators will forward vehicle data to the Department of Insurance

for dissemination to insurers.• Local governments will be responsible for the proper notification of

vehicle owners.• Louisiana State Police will be sending Inspectors. Vehicles will remain at the staging areas until inspected by the State Police and the

National Insurance Crime Bureau.

STORM DEBRIS MANAGEMENTBoats

• 13,326 boats earmarked for disposal as of May 14, 2006• Boats brought to the storage areas will be site tagged, inventoried in by Department of Wildlife and Fisheries registration, make, model, color and serial number.• Boats will be staged and site tagged for easy retrieval.• Site operators will compare boat data with FEMA database registry• Site operators will forward boat data to the Department of Insurance for dissemination to insurers.• Local governments will be responsible for the notification of owners.• Louisiana State Police will be sending Inspectors. Boats will remain at the staging areas until inspected by the State Police and the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

STORM DEBRIS MANAGEMENTStorm Debris Quantity Estimates

• 99.9% of Hurricane Rita Debris been removed as of August 22, 2006.

• 68% of Hurricane Katrina Debris removed as of August 22, 2006.

STORM DEBRIS MANAGEMENTProgression of Debris RemovalTaking Completion Factors into Consideration: • Remaining Debris and Demolition of 30,000 Red

tagged homes• * 7,200,000 tons or 18,000,000 cy as of 08-22-2006

Possible Demolition of 20,000 of the 80,000 yellow tagged homes• * 2,400,000 tons or 6,000,000 cy as of 08-22-2006 • Using One Landfill – 1.3 years• Using Two Landfills – 6.5 months• Using Three Landfills – 4.3 months

* Landfill receives 50,000 cy/day

STORM DEBRIS MANAGEMENTGentilly Disposal Site

STORM DEBRIS MANAGEMENTGentilly Disposal Site

STORM DEBRIS MANAGEMENTDEQ Continues to focus on “RPM”

• Reduction of debris stream utilizing burning, chipping, grinding, recycling or other innovative methodologies

• Preservation of landfill capacity– Provides capacity for disposal of hurricane devastation

debris Provides capacity for disposal of future development debris

– Provides capacity for disposal of resident/repopulation debris

• Management of Debris– Manage demolition debris from hurricane aftermath– Manage development debris from home rebuilding

activities