SUBRA COMPANY
P. O. BOX 9813
NEW IBERIA, LA 70562
337 367 2216
subracom@aol.com

SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS OF HURRICANE KATRINA TRANSPORTED SEDIMENT DEPOSITED IN THE HOLLYGROVE AREA OF NEW ORLEANS

By:  Wilma Subra
       Subra Company

For:  Rev. Cory Sparks
        Pastor, Carrollton UMC and Parker Memorial UMC
        921 South Carrollton Avenue
        New Orleans, LA 70118

Date:  February 5, 2006

     Two samples of undisturbed storm surge transported sediments were collected by Wilma Subra of Subra Company on January 13, 2006 from the Hollygrove area of New Orleans.  The samples were transported to Pace Analytical of New Orleans, Louisiana for analysis of the sediment samples for heavy metals (US EPA Method 6000/7000 Series) and semi-volatile organics (US EPA Method 8270).

     The two samples of sediment were collected from the following locations on January 13, 2006:

L-01 Between 8601 and 8615 Apple Street, 0940 hours
         Latitude 29o 57.664’ North
         Longitude 90o 07.399’ West
         Undisturbed sediment layer between sidewalk and
         curb adjacent to three automobiles that had not
         been moved since prior to  Hurricane Katrina.
         Sediment moist, brown, sandy material, darker on
         surface, lighter just below surface.
          

L-02  Shaw Temple UMC, across street from
          8819 Pear St.,1040 hours        
          Latitude 29o 58.422’ North
          Longitude 90o 06.788’ West
          Overwash Sediment on front and side of Church
          building (side towards New Orleans Country Club).
          Overwash material moist, light brown
        sandy material, depth not able to be determined.   

     The heavy metals  and semi-volatile chemicals contained in the sediment samples are presented in the attached tables.   Sediment sample L-01 collected on Apple Street contained 1.16  mg/kg Arsenic which exceeded the EPA Region VI Soil Screening Level for Arsenic by 4 times the Screening Level (0.39 mg/kg).   The Arsenic concentration of Sample L-01 did not exceed the LA DEQ RECAP Standard of 12 mg/kg.  Sample L-01 contained 72.6 mg/kg Barium , 0.938 mg/kg of Cadmium, 8.26 mg/kg Chromium (36% of the LA DEQ RECAP Standard of 23 mg/kg),  9.18 mg/kg Lead and 1.48 mg/kg Silver.

     Sample L-02 contained 32.6 mg/kg Barium, 3.55 mg/kg Chromium, 6.92 mg/kg of Lead, and 0.896 mg/kg of Silver, all below the LA DEQ and EPA standards.  Sample L-02 did not contain detectable levels of Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury and Selenium.

     The only sample that contained detectable levels of Semi-Volatile Organics was Sediment Sample L-01.  The Butyl benzylphthalate  concentration was 1430 ug/kg, Di-n octylphthalate 1030 ug/kg, and bis(2-Ethylhexyl)phthalate 2660 ug/kg.  Phthalates are plasticing agents.

     The entire Hollygrove Neighborhood was coated with the contaminated sediment material along curbs, gutters and coating undisturbed residential and business properties.  The heavy metals and semivolatile organic chemicals contribute to cumulative health impacts when exposure occurres through skin contact and via inhalation and ingestion.  The health impacts associated with contact with the contaminated sediments are skin irritation, infections of the skin that do not respond to normal antibiotic treatment, respiratory distress, asthma, and bronchitis.    Residents are encouraged to avoid coming in contact with the contaminated sediment material.  If contact is not preventable, residents should use protective clothing, gloves, and respirators in order to reduce their risk of health impacts.  Louisiana Environmental Action Network provides Re-entry Protection  Kits that contain the necessary equipment to reduce risk when coming in contact with the contaminated sediments.