Analyses of Floodwater Find Lower Levels of Toxic Chemicals Than Feared

After Hurricane Katrina, people were concerned about all the toxic chemicals that could have gotten into the water. Researchers from Louisiana State University have found that there were higher levels of bacteria in the water, but the concentration of heavy metals and chemicals from gasoline was no worse than it would have been if there was a hard rain. There is still some concern about other dangerous substances such as sewers, gasoline stations, factories, dry cleaners, chemical plants, and oil refineries. It is still to early to give New Orleans a clean bill of health. The main concern now is that the mud, silt, and groundwater probably has some toxic materials still remaining in it. Possibly New Orleans will not be a total loss now that there is not as much contamination as what had been anticipated.