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Agriculture Street Landfill Site Background Beginning in the early 1900's through 1965, the Agriculture Street superfund site functioned as an open burning site for Hurricane Betsy debris, and received municipal waste and ash from a city incinerator. During the 1970's, 47 acres of this land were developed, with HUD assistance as a residential area that includes an elementary school and recreational center. This area became known as the Agriculture Street community. The Agriculture Street community was added to the Environmental Protection Agencys National Priority List as a result of tests conducted that indicated the presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Health Effects The primary identified contaminants are lead, arsenic, dioxin and carcinogenic polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, but as many as 150 contaminants have been identified on the site. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals found, over a six year period, the incidence of breast cancer was significantly high. Clean Up Plan The EPA is taking the short-cut route, using a "cover up" strategy instead of a clean-up that would fully protect the community's health. The plan is to remove two feet of soil from the residents' yards and cover the soil with a geotextile permeable mat barrier, which will be covered with two feet of clean soil. Instead of protecting residents from the remaining contaminated soil, the purpose of the mat is to serve as a warning not to dig any deeper. The clean up deals only with residents' yards, nothing will be done to clear contaminants from under the slabs of the homes. Residents will be exposed to increased dust and possible health risks not to mention extreme inconvenience, while the clean up is being done. Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club |
