[StBernard] Parish Update for 12/16/05 - Hasmat/Environmental Issues

[Westley Annis]

Editors Note:  This is one of several emails.

PARISH UPDATE FOR 12/16/05

>From Craig Taffaro on behalf of the St. Bernard Parish Council (Mark

Madary,
Judy Hoffmeister, Kenny Henderson, Chairman Joey DiFatta, Lynn Dean, and
Ricky Melerine)

Hazmat/Environmental Issues

The latest environmental news from ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry) basically reports that samples that have been taken and
reported show that the parish as a whole is not presenting as a health
hazard, either in long term or short term measures.

The area specifically related to the Murphy Oil Spill area is not completely
resolved as new assessments continue to be requested and an expansion of oil
related contaminants continue to be found.  As elevated contaminants are
located, a validation that the contaminant is from Murphy Oil is then
completed.  Within the Murphy Oil area the continued message is that as
properties are cleaned properly, then the risk for long term health hazards
is not anticipated.  The data on the clean-up of properties is somewhat
misleading as the clean up of the private home-sites is primarily removing
external visible signs of oil.  As internal clean up projects are completed
and the results of testing inside homes following clean up is done, those
results will be announced.

I have requested that Murphy Oil be responsible for the removal of items
inside homes, instead of the property owner having to clean out any oil
contaminated items so that Murphy can then clean the internal structures.
The issue has not been agreed to by Murphy Oil and the idea of having
volunteers do the gutting and removal of items may make this request a mute
point.

Generally speaking, the clean up is moving ahead and the specific plan is
being monitored by the council's contracted environmental law and toxicology
expert representatives from Milling, Benson, and Woodward Law Firm.  All
environmental issues are being reviewed by our counsel and Cmdr. Bill Howl
who is an environmental expert assigned through the military to assist St.
Bernard Parish.

All residents are encouraged to review as much data as they feel is
necessary to make their environmental decisions.  Websites such as epa.gov
and the La Department of Environmental Quality can give some good
information about contaminants and mold and our website will post links that
will help research environmental issues.

The precautions of going into homes that have not been cleaned should
continue to be followed which involves the use of rubber gloves, rubber
boots, coveralls such as a tyvek suit, air mask, and eye protection.
Residents with medical conditions should use extra precautions or avoid
contaminated areas altogether.

Some of the numbers that residents can find information are:

EPA 800-887-6063
ATSDR 888-422-8737
LADEQ 888-763-5424