11:53 AM CDT on Friday, June 30, 2006

WWLTV.com

Air and water samples taken in late May from the landfill on Chef Menteur Highway tested below any health-risk levels, the New Orleans Department of Sanitation announced Friday.

WWL-TV

Samples were taken on May 24 and May 27 for air and water contaminants, respectively. Additonal air samples were taken June 5.

Mayor Ray Nagin said the results should ease people’s concerns regarding toxicity levels at the landfill.

Discharge water from the facility was screened for ammonia, total dissolved solids, 5-day biochemical oxygen demand, Alpha Terpineol, Benzioc Acid, p-Cresol, Zinc and pH, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality said.

Air samples were taken from the landfill on two separate occasions. In both cases, tests showed possible contaminants tested below any health risk levels.

Chuck Brown, DEQ Assistant Secretary, said great care has been taken to ensure the safety of residents living near disposal sites around town.

“The city’s sampling effort and the results from an independent laboratory are further proof that these disposal facilities are not toxic,” Brown said.

The samples were analyzed at Severn Trent Laboratory in Kenner, according to city officials.