Offers Plans for Local, State, and Federal Officials
WASHINGTON,
DC – The U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG) today released
a new report outlining environmental health concerns in Louisiana,
Alabama, and Mississippi in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, along
with guidelines for governmental officials on protecting public health.
“We’re
just beginning to realize the extent of the toxic aftermath of
Hurricane Katrina,” said U.S. PIRG Environmental Health Advocate Meghan
Purvis. “Government officials have to act fast to develop a plan that
will protect public health.”
The U.S. PIRG report, “Looking Forward After Katrina,”
identifies some of the environmental health threats that currently
exist in the region affected by the hurricane. Industrial chemicals,
raw sewage, oil spills, and existing Superfund toxic waste sites are
all areas of concern that have contributed to the current public health
crisis.
Noting
that the floodwaters were found to contain large amounts of bacteria
and toxic chemicals, U.S. PIRG Clean Water Advocate Christy Leavitt
said, “What we’ve found in the water combines with the amounts of
chemicals we know are in the region to yield a toxic gumbo.”
The
response and cleanup process will involve a large number of government
agencies, ranging from the Mayor of New Orleans’ Office to the Coast
Guard to the EPA Office of Emergency Management. U.S. PIRG presented
nine key points for decision-makers to consider during cleanup ranging
from adequate testing to corporate responsibility in the cost of
cleanup, including:
• Adequate testing of air, sediments, and water;
• Health monitoring of workers and evacuees;
• Proper caution and standards for returning to contaminated sites;
• Full public disclosure and communication;
• Public involvement in decision making;
• Rebuilding with an eye to public health;
• Cleanup must comply with existing standards;
• Corporations must pay their fair share; and
• Reduce toxic chemical use and exposure.
“The
industrial facilities that release toxic contamination into the
environment and nearby communities have a responsibility to assist with
the cleanup and to protect the public from their toxic substances,”
said Purvis. “Companies that use these chemicals now threatening the
Gulf Coast should pay a Katrina cleanup fee to assist with these
efforts.”
