NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The Environmental Protection Agency has confirmed toxic substances were found in soot following the Smitty's Supply explosion.
RELATED: EPA takes over Roseland explosion response as fire 98% contained
According to a report provided to FOX 8, investigators detected arsenic, barium, chromium, lead and other hazardous materials in two samples collected the day after the explosion.
An EPA spokesperson said there is no imminent threat to the public. The agency released a statement that read in part:
Here is the report:
The letter at the front of the report was dated Aug. 25, three days after the explosion. FOX 8 and residents pressed for information, but the report was not released until Aug. 28.
Hydrologist and water pollution expert James Connors said he was not surprised by the results, adding that "none of those numbers look good."
However, Connors said he does not doubt the EPA's conclusion that there is no immediate threat.
He also warned that the report showed contractors found substances that do not typically occur in nature, unlike lead, which he said may pose additional risks.
An EPA spokesman said Friday night that the samples were not collected from the Tangipahoa River or a drinking water source.
"On Aug. 23, CTEH, an environmental services contractor for Smitty's Supply Inc., collected soot samples under the oversight of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. The soot samples contained water, but the samples were not collected from the Tangipahoa River or a drinking water source," the spokesman wrote. "The samples were analyzed by toxicologists from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Louisiana Department of Health. Based on the available data, there was no indication of any imminent threat to public health from the soot or smoke residue deposited in the surrounding area.
"On Aug. 29, EPA conducted water sampling at locations on the Tangipahoa River to assess potential impacts from the release of materials downstream. EPA is coordinating with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality for baseline sampling comparisons. These two sampling events are unrelated, and EPA will share Aug. 29 water sampling data when analysis is complete and reviewed for quality assurance."
Toxicologist Dr. Michael Policastro said the concentration of hazardous materials in the Aug. 23 report was low, but cautioned that vulnerable residents should avoid exposure.
Both experts stressed that the samples reflect only one point in time at a limited location and conditions may have since changed. Connors said more sampling data is needed moving forward.