2005 Hurricane Response Efforts of the CDC National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
NOTE: This document is provided for historical purposes only and may not provide our most accurate and up-to-date information. The most current disaster information can be found on the CDC Natural Disasters and Severe Weather homepage.
- Staff from the CDC National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) were key members of the Joint Task Force—composed of staff from the CDC/ATSDR and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—deployed to the New Orleans area to evaluate environmental health needs and conduct a habitability assessment. Vice Admiral Thad Allen of the U.S. Coast Guard used the Task Force Report to convince New Orleans authorities not to open the city to returning residents until sufficient cleanup had been conducted and public health support services (e.g., provision of safe drinking water, proper sewage disposal) had been restored. (See the Environmental Health Needs and Habitability Assessment.)
- NCEH/ATSDR staff, working with EPA, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), and Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH), reviewed flood water, surface water, sediment, soil, and air sampling data (tens of millions of analytical results). This sampling helped ensure that people returning to the area affected by the hurricane would not be exposed to chemicals at levels of health concern. The results indicated that there was no widespread environmental contamination in the impact areas. (See the Environmental Assessment Summary for Areas of Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines Parishes Flooded as a Result of Hurricane Katrina
and the Summary Results of Sediment Sampling Conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.)
- The Murphy Oil spill released approximately 25,110 barrels (1.05 million gallons), which affected some 1,700 homes in a roughly one-square mile area adjacent to the facility. ATSDR staff provided key evaluations of the potential human health effects of the Murphy Oil spill and provided specific guidance to the community on protecting their health. (See the Health Consultation: Murphy Oil Spill, November 8, 2005 version and Health Consultation: Murphy Oil Spill, December 9, 2005 version.)
- With so many homes flooded, returning residents needed clear and scientifically accurate information on the health consequences of mold. NCEH/ATSDR staff provided this information and developed easy-to-read fact sheets to help affected communities. (See Mold After a Disaster.)
- The hurricane and its aftermath resulted in enormous amounts of debris, much of which contained hazardous materials such as asbestos. NCEH/ATSDR staff provided valuable and timely advice on how the various types of debris could be managed safely.
- NCEH/ATSDR has addressed environmental justice issues by participating in public meetings and consultation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, EPA, LHHS, and LDEQ. NCEH/ATSDR Region 6 staff have taken the lead for CDC in all environmental justice issues.
- NCEH/ATSDR staff played a vital role in the management of public health issues related to companion animals during an emergency evacuation, including worker safety and shelter sanitation/safety issues. Staff continue to develop policies and procedures for public health relating to evacuations that include companion animals.
- Page last updated August 30, 2006
- Content source: CDC Emergency Communication System (ECS), Division of Health Communication and Marketing (DHCM), National Center for Health Marketing (NCHM)
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