ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR Releases Post-Hurricane Katrina Findings for DuPont DeLisle Plant

Report Available for Comment Through May 26

For Immediate Release: April 26, 2006

ATLANTA - Chemicals found in soil samples collected after Hurricane Katrina near the DuPont DeLisle Titanium Dioxide Plant in Pass Christian, Miss., pose no harmful health risks for nearby residents, says the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). However, as a precaution, ATSDR recommends further testing of crabs to determine if dioxin-like compounds can be found in the food chain of St. Louis Bay.

In its health consultation, which is available for public comment and review through May 26, the agency assessed environmental exposure to contamination that resulted from Hurricane Katrina floods. The consultation found contaminants in residential soils were within typical ranges for soil in the area. The consultation also found one soil sample and one sediment sample, located away from residences, that contain dioxin-like compounds at levels not normally found in soil and sediment near Pass Christian.

ATSDR reviewed soil data collected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and environmental groups after the hurricane for this consultation.

ATSDR published previous health consultations in 2004 for the DuPont DeLisle site addressing concerns about groundwater contamination and dioxin at the DuPont DeLisle plant.

The health consultation addressing the latest data is available for public comment and review through May 26. The public comment period is an opportunity for residents to review and comment on agency findings noted in the assessment. The assessment can be viewed at www.atsdr.cdc.gov, or at

Pass Christian Public Library
111 Heirn Avenue
Pass Christian

Comments must be made in writing to:

Chief, Records Management Activity
ATSDR
1600 Clifton Road, N.E. (MS E-60)
Atlanta, Ga. 30333

Comments received during the public comment period will be logged into the ATSDR administrative record. All comments that are received along with ATSDR responses will appear in an appendix to the final version of the report. The names of individuals and groups who submit comments will not appear in the report. However, the names will be subject to release for requests made under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

Members of the community who have questions about this assessment may contact Environmental Health Scientist James Durant or Health Communication Specialist Rose Jackson, toll free, at 1-888-422-8737. 

ATSDR, a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, evaluates the human health effects of exposure to hazardous substances.

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Members of the news media can request an interview with ATSDR staff by calling the ATSDR Office of Communication at 770-488-0700.