Fears grow over toxic floodwaters

[emad]

Fears grow over toxic floodwaters
8 September 2005

Soldiers toting M-16s strengthened their grip on New Orleans as concerns grew about the risks posed by the toxic floodwaters and officials prepared for what could be a staggering death toll by readying 25,000 body bags.

Across miles of ravaged neighbourhoods of clapboard houses, grand estates and housing projects, workers struggled to find corpses and convince the city's last stubborn residents to leave.

Searchers were armed with proof of what many holdouts had long feared: The floodwaters are thick with sewage-related bacteria that are at least 10 times higher than acceptable safety limits. The muck contains E. coli, certain viruses and a type of cholera-like bacteria.

"If you haven't left the city yet, you must do so," said Dr Julie Gerberding, director of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. She urged anyone coming into contact with the water to scrub with soap.
http://www.thisislondon.com/news/articles/PA_NEWA22522091126171765A00?source=PA%20Feed&ct=5

[acmejack]

1. They don't even mention the chemicals that are most certainly present!

A lot of industrial and harbor wastes. There was an abandoned superfund site underwater too.

[emad]

2. I wonder how much cocaine and meth the dealers lost....

talking of chemicals...

[uppityperson]

3. coffee too. Bunch of seriously stoned hyped alligators there.

[Lindacooks]

4. Yes, that's what concerns me most.

There was a Superfund toxic waste site that was flooded. Imagine what was there that is now in NO and Lake Ponchatrain - dioxin? Asbestos? Mercury? Benzene?

[Lisa]

5. I guess the oysters from that area are going to be a write-off ...

For years to come, probably. (On the scientific research side, we'll be able to learn a lot more about the rates of sequestration for various pollutants ... but on the economic side, it's going to be a disaster for the seafood industry.)

[Nihil]

6. I think you "mis-spoke" :-)

> On the scientific research side, ...

Did you forget that the Reverend George W Bullshit said that we need
to pray?

If you sinners pray enough, the Good Lord will make the oysters edible
enough <for poor folk> in no time at all ...

[Sabriel]

7. How far out into the Gulf will this spread?

I guess I'll be eating less Gulf seafood now. Shame.

[Mika]

8. The toxic swill will flow down around Fla gulf coast to the Keys, beyond

More toxic algae blooms, fish kills, reef kill, mercury and lead deposits in fish, etc, etc.

:( :( :cry:

[eardoc]

9. This is SO overblown propaganda

It's just the excuse to get people to leave their homes.