Who do you think should pay for superfund site clean-ups?
Today's topical article: Superfund.
Featured stories
Superfund Finishes Cleanup at 40 Sites
The U.S. federal Superfund program cleaned up 40 of the nation's worst hazardous waste sites at a cost of $507 million, bringing the total of sites cleared since 1980 to over 900. There are 1,237 sites still on the list. The number cleared each year has been declining recently, which the EPA says is due to larger and more complex sites being tackled.
Not all hazardous sites are in the superfund program in fact less than 1 percent are, though they account for about 15 percent of the spending on average. The EPA has estimated that it would take up to $280 billion and 35 years to clear up the estimated 77,000 such sites plus the ones still being discovered at a rate of up to 9,267 each year.
Agencies Agree on Hanford Canyon Cleanup
Washington's Hanford nuclear reservation has five massive processing facilities. A plan to clean up one of them, the highly contaminated World War II-era chemical plant at U-Plant Canyon, has been announced. It comprises a building 800 feet long and 70 feet wide. The 50 feet above ground will be razed to ground level with the highly radioactive waste being shipped to a New Mexico repository. The 30 feet below ground will be sealed and covered with soil and vegetation.
Other stories
Three Share Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Â French and US chemists win Nobel for carbon "dance"
The Nobel Prize for chemistry was awarded to 3 scientists whose discoveries have enabled industry to create drugs and advanced plastics in a more efficient and environmentally friendly way by reducing the number of hazardous by-products. Their process, called the metathesis ("changing places") method in organic synthesis, is used to convert seed oils into products that are normally made from petroleum, and for herbicides, among other things. The process has uses in medicine, agriculture, chemicals and plastics.
Zimbabwe moves rhinos from poachers' zone: report
Zimbabwe's Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has moved more than 200 endangered black rhinos from a game farm in southwestern Matabeleland province to areas where they will be safer from poaching.
FDA Unveils Proposal to Fight Mad Cow
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is to eliminate cow brains and spinal cords from feed for all animals as part of its strategy against mad cow disease. Critics say that there are other loopholes left unplugged.
Four More Canadians Die of Unknown Illness
10 residents of a nursing home for the elderly in Toronto have died and dozens more people are ill from a mystery respiratory illness. Influenza, avian flu, SARS and Legionnaire's disease have been ruled out.
Indonesian man dies of bird flu, says hospital
A man is believed to have died of bird flu in Indonesia; the 6th in the country if this and 2 other cases are confirmed.
German wind power output seen up 7.5 pct in 2005
In 2004 Germany produced 26.0 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) electricity from wind power at a price of 9.04 cents per kWh; 5.5 percent of national power consumption. In 2005 27.9 billion kWh are expected to be produced at 8.98 cents per kWh - 5.7 percent of German power consumption. This compares to 4.39 cents per kWh on average for coal and nuclear energy. Prices for wind energy are expected to fall by 2.0 percent plus inflation each year.
UK sees no major accord at Montreal climate talks
Environmental officials from 150 nations will be meeting in Montreal, Canada between November 28 and December 9 to discuss where to take the 'Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change' climate deal, which came into force last February, beyond 2012. British Environment Minister Margaret Beckett is in the G8 chair this year and does not expect any major breakthrough. The United States, the world's biggest polluter, has not ratified it.
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Hurricanes Katrina and Rita stories
FEMA Suspends Phoenix Rescuers Over Arms
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has suspended the Phoenix Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue team, which rescued more than 400 New Orleans Katrina survivors from rooftops and freeway overpasses, because of the inclusion of armed police officers for protection on hurricane relief missions. Phoenix officials may not participate in future disasters if they cannot take protection for themselves and their expensive equipment.
Nine Charged With Stealing Katrina Funds
Four contract workers at a Red Cross national call center in Bakersfield and 5 alleged accomplices have been charged with stealing at least $25,000 donated for Hurricane Katrina victims.
Tropical Storm Tammy Forms Off Fla. Coast
Stan's Storms Kill 65 in Central America
Hurricane Stan killed more than 65 people in Central America and caused considerable damage before weakening over the Mexican state of Oaxaca.
Most New Orleans residents allowed to return home
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has allowed most New Orleans residents to return, though there is a curfew from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. daily and people whose houses were submerged are advised not to stay. Out of 445,000 pre-storm residents, about 80,000 are back. The mayor estimates that the current capacity is about 200,000. Most roadblocks and checkpoints have been removed.
Mayor of New Orleans Announces Layoffs
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has had to announce layoffs for up to 3,00 people - about half the workforce - as the city does not have the money to pay them. Firefighters and police will not be included.
President Clinton toured Louisiana on Tuesday, including New Orleans' lower Ninth Ward.
Index of topics in this series.
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Here's the EPA's Response Activity for Wednesday, October 05, 2005 relating to hurricanes Rita and Katrina:
National
Fuel Waivers - On 10/4, EPA issued an emergency waiver of the low-sulfur highway diesel fuel requirement, through 10/25, for Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida , Tennessee and Kentucky , and states located in Petroleum Administration for Defense District (PADD) III. The waiver takes effect upon expiration of the 9/13 diesel fuel waiver for Kentucky and all states located in PADDs I (East Coast) and III ( Gulf Coast ), and the 9/27 diesel fuel waiver for Kentucky. More about fuel waivers.
In The Field
Outreach
Sampling – On 10/4, sampling continued on flood, lake, outfall, and surface water in New Orleans . EPA’s soil/sediment sampling in affected areas along the Gulf Coast began 10/3. EPA’s ocean water testing vessel, the Bold, is surveying the waters of the Mississippi Sound and the Gulf of Mexico in the plume of the Mississippi River .
Air Monitoring – EPA’s air sampling group continues with the mobilization and staging of stationary and mobile air sampling and monitoring equipment in Louisiana . EPA’s Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer (TAGA) bus team is sampling for low level volatile organic compounds in the New Orleans area.
Mobile Labs – Bacteriological analyses continue on individual private well water supplies in Livingston, LA, on public water systems in Kinder, LA, and on public and private supplies in Gulfport, MS.
National Priorities List (NPL) – EPA teams continue to assess NPL sites in the area affected by Rita. Twenty seven of the 28 TX sites have been assessed. Four out of the five NPL sites in Louisiana have been assessed. There are 15* NPL sites in the hurricane Katrina-affected area of LA, 6 in AL and 3 in MS. Initial assessments have been conducted on these sites. EPA is still in the assessment phase, and will continue to monitor all the impacted NPL sites. *In previous updates, one additional “NPL Equivalent†site was included in the Louisiana NPL total.
Drinking Water Assessment -- In LA, there are a total of 1591 drinking water facilities that served approximately 5 million people. As of 10/4, EPA has determined that 1171 of these facilities are operational, 178 are operating on a boil water notice, 89 are not operating, and further information is being gathered on 153. In MS, there are a total of 1,367 drinking water facilities that served approximately 3.1 million people. EPA has determined that 1,270 of these facilities are operational, 64 are operating on a boil water notice and 33 are inoperable. In TX, there are a total of 982 drinking water facilities that served approximately 3.7 million. EPA has determined that 408 are operational, 123 are operating on a boil water notice, 124 are not operating, and further information is being gathered on 327. It should be noted that operational facilities may still be in need of repair or reconstruction. EPA’s Water program is continuing to assess drinking water plants in the affected area.
Wastewater -- In LA, there are a total of 317 Public Owned Treatment Works (POTW). As of 10/4, EPA has determined that 292 of these facilities are operational, 14 are not operating, and 11 are awaiting further information. In MS, there are a total of 329 POTW. EPA has determined that 328 of these facilities are operational and 1 facility is not operating. In AL , there are a total of 84 facilities with one not operating. In TX, there are a total of 70 POTW. EPA has determined that 49 are operational, 5 are not operating, and further information is being gathered on 16. It should be noted that operational facilities may still be in need of repair or reconstruction. EPA’s Water program continues to assess wastewater treatment plants in the affected area. (Note: POTW numbers are now being reported based on utilization of FEMA disaster designation.)
Debris Assessment and Collection – Collection activities continue for household hazardous wastes (HHW) and orphan containers in the hurricane affected area. In addition, EPA personnel continue to offer technical assistance in the disposal of hazardous waste and other debris left behind by the storm. Collection sites are in place in LA, MS, and AL.
Web Site Postings
Flood Water - http://www.epa.gov/katrina/testresults/water/index.html On 10/3, new data was posted from flood water samples taken 9/25 indicating that arsenic was detected in four samples and exceeded the EPA drinking water Maximum Contaminant Level in one of these samples. Lead was detected in three samples and exceeded the EPA action limit in one of these samples. Manganese was detected at levels that exceeded Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) /Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) exposure scenarios for sensitive populations in five samples. EPA and ATSDR/CDC do not feel that chemicals exceeding EPA drinking water standards or ATSDR/CDC heath guidance values pose a human health threat as ingestion of flood water should not be occurring (unless there is inadvertent ingestion e.g., from splashing). EPA and ATSDR/CDC recommend avoiding all contact with flood water, where possible, and washing with soap and water should contact with flood water occur. Personal protective equipment, such as gloves and safety glasses, should be worn by emergency responders.
Sediment - http://www.epa.gov/katrina/testresults/sediments/index.html On 10/3, new data was posted on sediment samples taken 9/25 indicating continued elevated concentrations of petroleum. Lead was found in all samples tested but at levels below what ATSDR/CDC considers to be immediately hazardous to human health. Volatile, and semivolatile organic compounds, including polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), as well as pesticides and heavy metals and mercury were found, but at levels below what ATSDR/CDC considers to be immediately hazardous to human health. EPA and ATSDR/CDC recommend avoiding all contact with sediment deposited by the flood water, where possible, due to potential concerns associated with long-term skin contact. Personal protective equipment, such as gloves and safety glasses, should be worn by emergency responders.
Air Screening - http://www.epa.gov/katrina/testresults/air/index.html On 10/3, new screening data was posted from ASPECT flight 4, deployed for Rita on 9/26 to assess chemical and petroleum facilities located near Lake Charles , LA. Trace levels of chemicals were detected. Most of the chemicals have not exceeded the ATSDR Minimal Risk Levels or EPA's Acute Exposure Guidance Levels (AEGLs) for short-term health effects. Only ethylene and glycol appeared elevated. However, the levels detected were below the instrument's ability to detect accurately the chemical and therefore a definitive statement about its risk cannot be made. Since this is a dynamic situation, and this is non-validated data used only for screening purposes, general conclusions about the quality of the air should not be drawn.
