How toxic is the water?

[rollerbladr123]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050909/ap_on_re_us/katrina_mississippi_health_hk2_1;_ylt=ApvMVrAFaZncZgL5Od67F0QbLisB;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

Miss. Residents Say Health Warning Lacking

Quote 1 BILOXI, Miss. - The neighborhood called Point Cadet at the east end of Biloxi has no clean running water and a foul stench — the residents are certain it's human decay — pervades the air, burning the throat when the wind blows right. In addition to the many hurricane-flattened houses no one could live in, there are some still standing, though heavily damaged. And people are staying in them, in some of the most unsanitary conditions imaginable. "This is a public health nightmare," said Dr. Mary Wells, a pediatrician from Mobile, Ala., who used her day off to drive Biloxi's debris-strewn streets to see what people need. She found squalor and desperation. She saw people who can't get medicine, who are drinking contaminated water, who have untreated cuts and bruises from a night battling Hurricane Katrina, who don't have badly needed insulin.

Quote 2 ......Evan said she saw people swimming in the reeking, polluted East Pearl River, which serves as the state's southwestern border with Louisiana. Sgt. Chuck Strain, who patrols the river for Louisiana's Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, wrinkles his nose at the thought, pointing to a blob of fur in the water. It is, he says, a roughly 10-pound nutria rat. "There's millions of them dead out there," he said. "They're floating around with their little legs sticking up in the air and their little yellow teeth showing." Sgt. Grady Brecheen said two of his agents have been hospitalized with dysentery. Both were in the flood waters in New Orleans. "I think it's going to get bad," he said. "I really do."

 

[kgeaux]

Hi kgeaux

I heard it on TV (regarding 9 West Nile cases in New Orleans), but I just tried to Google it and the link below is the Google results. The story is in there somewhere, as you will be able to see the quote in the New Orleans Metro News, but I guess I'd have to ready every single story to find the one that contains the info. I read the 1st two and didn't find it, but it's almost 1:30 am and I'm too sleepy to keep reading. Sorry I can't be of more help. The report on TV did say it was "human", however.

http://www.google.com/search?client...+new+orleans+before+Katrina&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

dani

Thanks, dani. I'll try to track it down. Nine cases in humans, that's scary.

 

[2luvmy]

I was wondering what a nutria rat was....

Quote 2 ......Evan said she saw people swimming in the reeking, polluted East Pearl River, which serves as the state's southwestern border with Louisiana. Sgt. Chuck Strain, who patrols the river for Louisiana's Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, wrinkles his nose at the thought, pointing to a blob of fur in the water. It is, he says, a roughly 10-pound nutria rat. "There's millions of them dead out there," he said. "They're floating around with their little legs sticking up in the air and their little yellow teeth showing." Sgt. Grady Brecheen said two of his agents have been hospitalized with dysentery. Both were in the flood waters in New Orleans. "I think it's going to get bad," he said. "I really do."

 

[CyberLaw]

In the battle to save Louisiana marshes from coastal erosion, the new weapon is a price tag on the tail of this large, burrowing, oversexed rodent from Argentina called nutria, a Spanish word for its scientific, Latin name, Myocastor coypus.

Millions of furry nutria with large orange-yellow teeth are eating marsh grass and plants at such an alarming rate Congress approved a $12.5 million to be spent over the next five years to pay hunters and trappers $4 a tail, as proof the swamp rats are dead. Rice and sugar cane farmers, whose crops are also destroyed by nutria, simply call them "nutria rats."

So now there are lots and lots of dead, decaying nutira rats floating in the water........

West Nile is going to be a problem that is not going to isolated to the flooded states, skitters can fly and migrate to areas that they can feed on........birds and livestock will be bitten by the skitters and this will be a huge problem.

Standing water bread skitters and heat........so this will add to the already devestating problems and may affect other states.

 

[kgeaux]

I was wondering what a nutria rat was....

I think they're kinda cute, actually. See them all the time! I tend to think of them as giant gerbils instead of rats!

 

[concernedperson]

I think they're kinda cute, actually. See them all the time! I tend to think of them as giant gerbils instead of rats!

ROTFLMAO!!!

 

[kgeaux]

ROTFLMAO!!!

HeeHee! I am glad I got you to laugh!! I am laughing right now too. My car has been up on blocks since last Friday--my bright 18 year old son hit a curb and sliced two of my tires open--there wasn't a single tire in the size I need in all of Lafayette--Allied tires just called and MY TIRES ARE IN!!! WHOO HOO! I have wheels, I can roam! I can go check out some nutria!

 

[concernedperson]

HeeHee! I am glad I got you to laugh!! I am laughing right now too. My car has been up on blocks since last Friday--my bright 18 year old son hit a curb and sliced two of my tires open--there wasn't a single tire in the size I need in all of Lafayette--Allied tires just called and MY TIRES ARE IN!!! WHOO HOO! I have wheels, I can roam! I can go check out some nutria!

And don't forget the armadillos!!!!!!

Glad you have wheels again. Aren't those kids something though!!!

 

[oceanblueeyes]

I have no idea. Perhaps it could be treated with some type of disinfectants as it's pumped out? Just because I don't have the answer doesn't mean I can't ask questions. I'd hate to see this tragedy spread to other areas or kill off marine life because of the poisoned water.

But what many dont realize is just how much of the disinfectants(chemiclas) will reek havoc too. To do so is to dump millions of gallons of chemicals right back into that sludge. There will be bacteria there that will be immuned to such treatments. There simply are no good ways....they will not treat and from what I have read they have no intentions of even doing so. It will run off into the Mississippi go through sparse wetland areas and into the Gulf...putrid as ever.

Health wise and environmentally this will be a long agonizing aftermath...it is going to reek havoc and not just in NO but the Gulf of Mexico which certain parts of it are having Red Tide problems already due to the pollution and where it ends, no one knows.

I am amazed that the EPA signed off on this toxic dumping. What in the h*ll are they thinking? Every scientist I have seen are screaming "NO dont do this...it will have horrific effects".

That city has everything, we have to remember it is much more than sewage, corpses, urine and feces. It has oil,fuel, gas, batteries who are breeched and oozing acid, lead from old companies. Chemical companies with all sorts of hazardous materials. Medical equipment using radiation. Remember the tech doesn't stand behind a thick wall for nothing....now these machines have sat their for almost two weeks submerged. And we cannot turn a blind eye to the amount of pesticides that will have to be sprayed in NO alone, all toxic, all airborne and right into their lungs.

I fear what this may truly become to our entire country. How many times has poor decisions made effected us years down the road. Look how long it too for them to admit that Asbestos kills or that certain kind of paint is toxic?

I fear Kristina's aftermath is far from over.

IMO

Ocean

 

[cynder]

But what many dont realize is just how much of the disinfectants(chemiclas) will reek havoc too. To do so is to dump millions of gallons of chemicals right back into that sludge. There will be bacteria there that will be immuned to such treatments. There simply are no good ways....they will not treat and from what I have read they have no intentions of even doing so. It will run off into the Mississippi go through sparse wetland areas and into the Gulf...putrid as ever.

Health wise and environmentally this will be a long agonizing aftermath...it is going to reek havoc and not just in NO but the Gulf of Mexico which certain parts of it are having Red Tide problems already due to the pollution and where it ends, no one knows.

I am amazed that the EPA signed off on this toxic dumping. What in the h*ll are they thinking? Every scientist I have seen are screaming "NO dont do this...it will have horrific effects".

That city has everything, we have to remember it is much more than sewage, corpses, urine and feces. It has oil,fuel, gas, batteries who are breeched and oozing acid, lead from old companies. Chemical companies with all sorts of hazardous materials. Medical equipment using radiation. Remember the tech doesn't stand behind a thick wall for nothing....now these machines have sat their for almost two weeks submerged. And we cannot turn a blind eye to the amount of pesticides that will have to be sprayed in NO alone, all toxic, all airborne and right into their lungs.

I fear what this may truly become to our entire country. How many times has poor decisions made effected us years down the road. Look how long it too for them to admit that Asbestos kills or that certain kind of paint is toxic?

I fear Kristina's aftermath is far from over.

IMO

Ocean

:clap: :clap:
I totally agree !!!! I am so sick over this - and millions of migrating birds (some critically endangered) are headed that way as we speak - and they have NO PLAN to protect them !!!
Our very own Chernobyl and Love Canal wrapped in a deceptively charming, spanish moss draped Cajun exterior. Gives a whole new meaning to Mardi Gras, doesn't it?

 

[tybee204]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9375301/

First New Orleans sediment samples troubling
Bacteria, lead and fuel oils found that pose health risk


WASHINGTON - A new health risk emerged Friday from the sediment of New Orleans — test results showing that diesel and fuel oils, which can take years to break down, make up as much as a 10th of the weight of some sediment samples.

The test results came from 18 sediment samples drawn Sept. 10 from across the New Orleans area, where there have been five flood-related oil spills since Hurricane Katrina struck Aug. 29.

Earlier tests turned up dangerous amounts of sewage-related bacteria and lead in floodwaters and more than 100 chemical pollutants.

more at link.

 

[deanws]

When the governor met with Bush and the mayor and said she wanted 24 hours to think about it I thought she should be forced to go without food and water while she thought. For this I think she should wade around in that water several times a day while she waits for the test results.

LMAO! Yep..I bet she could make up her mind a lot quicker this way. I don't know WHAT these people in charge are thinking.:banghead:

 

[Pepper]

Apparently Gov. Blanco isn't afraid of the water:

BLANCO: I wouldn't think it would be toxic soup, right now. I think it's just water from the lake, water from the canals. It's, you know, it's water.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0509/10/cp.01.html

 

[deanws]

Norwalk virus is the leading cause of viral gastroenteritis in the U.S.

Norwalk virus causes acute gastroenteritis with nausea, vomiting, fever, and myalgia that lasts 24-48 hours. The virus is transmitted through fecal-oral contact. The Norwalk virus is well established as the chief cause of viral gastroenteritis epidemics. The disease occurs throughout the year without a seasonal predominance.

Norwalk virus was first associated with gastroenteritis in 1972. It was identified by electron microscopy of stool samples that had been saved from a 1968 gastroenteritis epidemic that occurred in Norwalk, Ohio. In a 2-day period, acute gastroenteritis developed in 50% of 232 students or teachers in an elementary school. The virus initially was labeled as a small, round, structured virus, and it was named after the city in which the outbreak occurred.

Information on the molecular characteristics of the virus is limited. It cannot be grown in any cell culture, and no readily available nonhuman animal model becomes ill from the Norwalk virus.

The virus is transmitted through contaminated food, water, or infected contacts. After ingestion, the virus infects the mucosa of the proximal small intestine, damages microvilli, and causes malabsorption of D-xylose, lactose, and fat. Although no histopathological lesions can be found in the stomach mucosa, the virus causes abnormal gastric motility and delayed gastric emptying. It does not invade the colon and, therefore, does not cause fecal leukocytes or hematochezia.

http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic1648.htm

Cruise ships have had several problems with this virus. It can make people real sick real fast.:doh:

 

[Tom'sGirl]

Cruise ships have had several problems with this virus. It can make people real sick real fast.:doh:

And yet Mayor Nagin says come on back, unreal! Well, ya know it is a Party Town.........yeah, it's going to be one Big Sick Party Town I bet in some areas.

 

[BillyGoatGruff]

Cruise ships have had several problems with this virus. It can make people real sick real fast.:doh:

New Orleans has a long standing hisotry of problems with diseases that thrive in moisture and heat, especially those that grow within air conditioners. Back in the laste 1980s/early 1990s I knew 3 people who came down with Bell's Palsy in NO, two within a year of each other, and they didn't have anything in common except that I knew them--didn't work, shop, socialize anywhere near one another. The Bell's Palsy was the reuslt of contaminated/uncleaned air conditioner filters.
Back in the 1900s scarlet fever nearly wiped out half the city. Entire households died within days of each other. I remember seeing a gravestone in historic Metairie cemetery, where there was twleve names, twelve different birth dates and twelve identical death dates. The grave stone bore the inscription: "We Are All Here."

 

[BillyGoatGruff]

What is scarier is that they haven't yet figured out WHERE the lead contamination is coming from. The researchers are very perplexed - this was NOT something they expected to find.

It's from submerged cars, not to mention ruptured fuel lines, and probably other sources such as paint & hardware stores.

 

[BillyGoatGruff]

I was wondering what a nutria rat was....



http://www.flex.net/~lonestar/nutriapr.gif

They're musk rats, of a sort, and were once highly prized for their skins. You haven;t lived until your cat has attcked and knocked one out (thinking it had killed it) and dragged one back in the house as a present for the family, only to have it suddenly come back to life and run through your living room & kitchen, squealing like a stuck pig, until you grab a broom and use it like a hockey stick to knock said creature out the front door.

 

[concernedperson]

New Orleans has a long standing hisotry of problems with diseases that thrive in moisture and heat, especially those that grow within air conditioners. Back in the laste 1980s/early 1990s I knew 3 people who came down with Bell's Palsy in NO, two within a year of each other, and they didn't have anything in common except that I knew them--didn't work, shop, socialize anywhere near one another. The Bell's Palsy was the reuslt of contaminated/uncleaned air conditioner filters.
Back in the 1900s scarlet fever nearly wiped out half the city. Entire households died within days of each other. I remember seeing a gravestone in historic Metairie cemetery, where there was twleve names, twelve different birth dates and twelve identical death dates. The grave stone bore the inscription: "We Are All Here."

WOW, I didn't know that was the cause of Bell's Palsy. One of my brothers and one of my sister's both came down with Bell's Palsy over the years while living in Louisiana. Their illnesses struck many years apart though.

ETA: I just went and changed my ac filter. It was filthy. Thanks for the info, I'll will pass it around.

 

[kgeaux]

And yet Mayor Nagin says come on back, unreal! Well, ya know it is a Party Town.........yeah, it's going to be one Big Sick Party Town I bet in some areas.

They'll all be doing the Pepto Bismal Dance!