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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Mary A. Fox, PhD, MPH, Ramya Chari, MPH, Roni Neff, ScM, Beth Resnick, MPH, and Thomas A. Burke, PhD, MPH. Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Rm. 455, Baltimore, MD 21205, 443-287-0778, mfox@jhsph.edu

When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast near New Orleans, Louisiana on August 29, 2005, the storm left in its wake a potential environmental disaster area. The extent of chemical contamination in media such as floodwaters and sediment was unknown. In addition, the disproportionate impacts of the storm raised concern. Those likely to be at risk were the poor, largely minority population unable to leave New Orleans and the workers involved in recovery. In the hurricane aftermath, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency measured levels of 270 chemicals in water, sediment, soil and air in New Orleans County. The cumulative risks of chemical mixtures were not characterized. This study will describe the chemical contamination caused by Hurricane Katrina and quantify the risks to human health. Temporal and spatial analyses will be carried out for selected pollutants. Cumulative risk assessments will be conducted for chemical mixtures addressing health effects shared by mixture constituents. As residents resume their daily lives, and workers continue reconstruction efforts, understanding the short and long-term risks of these chemicals becomes a priority public health and environmental justice issue. By determining the likelihood of exposure and severity of health outcomes, this study will inform clean-up, longer-term public health surveillance, and future disaster response activities.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• List the chemical contaminants of concern for residents and workers in New Orleans.
• Describe the health risks posed by certain chemicals as well as their temporal and spatial distribution in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.
• Define the risk metrics used to characterize cumulative exposures to chemical mixtures.

Keywords: Disasters, Risk Assessment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation