[StBernard] Samples Taken of Murphy Oil Leak

[Westley Annis]

Samples Taken of Murphy Oil Leak 

October 20, 2005

By: Steve Cannizaro


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Residents in Murphy oil-leak area asked to take own samples in and outside
home and participate in refinery's sample collection; and residents should
complain to insurance commissioner if adjusters won't come to their homes
and businesses

St. Bernard residents impacted by the oil leak at the Murphy Oil USA
refinery during the hurricane should take their own samples in and outside
their home and participate in Murphy's plan to collect samples at sites,
parish officials said Wednesday, Oct. 19.

The oil leak impacted an area west from the Murphy refinery in Meraux but
the parish is awaiting an electronic map from company officials to pinpoint
all addresses affected.

Residents should take all safety precautions such as use of gloves, boots
and masks in taking samples and they should seal samples in plastic bags,
officials said. The samples can be taken to any LSU Ag Center, where they
will be tested, according to Council member Craig Taffaro Jr. They should
separate samples and label them individually, such as front and back yards,
and each room in a home or business, he said.

Taffaro and Council members Kenny Henderson, Judy Hoffmeister and Mark
Madary and Parish President Henry "Junior'' Rodriguez took part in an
outdoor meeting with parish residents at Sidney D. Torres Park in Chalmette.

Murphy has begun cleaning areas up to the property rights-of-ways officials
said, but haven't announced plans for clean-up on private property.

Parish officials said residents should call the toll-free phone number
Murphy has given for filing claims for sampling and testing to be done. The
number is 1-877-511-1006. A form for giving the company the right to enter
private property will be sent back to them, officials said.

Residents who have signed on as plaintiffs in class-action lawsuits filed
against the company should check with their lawyer about whether Murphy will
contact them directly about sampling.

When Murphy contacts property owners the company will set a date to take
samples. Residents are encouraged to be present when the samples are taken.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has said that in the short-term the
oil leak area is non-toxic, officials said. However, the EPA is continuing
to take samples and isn't ready to make a comprehensive statement about
long-term exposure, officials have said.

Also, officials say residents who are having problems getting insurance
adjusters to come to their property should complain to the state Insurance
Commissioner's Office. The number to file a complaint is 1-800-259-5300, or
5301.