[StBernard] Coast Guard, DEQ investigating widespread reports of chemical odors

[Westley Annis]

Coast Guard, DEQ investigating widespread reports of chemical odors
Print By Mark Schleifstein, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune 


The Coast Guard and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality are
investigating widespread reports of odors, ranging from burning rubber to
oil and gas, in the New Orleans area, according to spokesmen for both
agencies.

"We have received calls from the public regarding the odors, and we're
currently investigating these issues and working to pinpoint the source,"
said DEQ spokesman Tim Beckstrom.

"Personnel from Coast Guard Sector New Orleans are working with the
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to investigate the source of a
report of a gas smell near Terrytown," said Coast Guard Petty Officer Second
Class Bil Colclough.

Residents in Chalmette, Algiers and New Orleans began reporting odors to the
Louisiana Bucket Brigade soon after 1 a.m. Wednesday, said Anna Hyrbyk,
program manager for the environmental group.

"We anticipate more reports coming in because we're getting calls from a lot
of locations," Hyrbyk said. "The wind direction is moving from the east to
the west and in the last hour, we received reports from Harahan to Metairie
about a burnt tire smell."

The reports began soon after 1 a.m., with residents in the Lower 9th Ward
and Chalmette, followed by reports from Algiers. The Chalmette and Algiers
reports were from residents near the ExxonMobil Chalmette Refinery and the
Rain CII petroleum coke facility. 

Hyrbyk said the Bucket Brigade may deploy its "rapid response team" Thursday
to conduct an informal health survey in areas experiencing the odors. 

The group also is collecting odor reports on its Iwitness Pollution Map on
the web. On Wednesday, reports on the map included burning tire and chemical
smells in Metairie, Uptown New Orleans, Algiers and Harahan.

"Should be fresh air from a nice rain, but instead stinky petrochemical air
is coming inside. Can't keep windows open. Scratchy throat and nausea," said
one 4:11 a.m. report on the map from a resident living on Upperline Street.

Jefferson Parish also issued a news release reporting the odors.

"Jefferson Parish, along with several other regional parishes, has been
experiencing a large volume of calls relative to a gas odor in the
atmosphere," the release said. "Jefferson Parish Officials have been working
with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and U.S. Coast Guard
to investigate and locate a source of this reported odor.

"At this time, no source has been identified and local, state, and federal
agencies are continuing to investigate to find the origin of this issue,"
the release said.