First it was the report about rapes and murders in the Superdome that proved to be false, now it seems that that waters that flooded New Orleans after Katrina hit weren’t any more toxic than any other flood
The floodwater that covered New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina was not unusually toxic and was “typical of storm water runoff in the region,” according to a study published yesterday.
Most of the gasoline-derived substances in the water evaporated quickly, and the bacteria from sewage also declined over time, the scientist leading the study said. The water’s chief hazard was from metals that are potentially toxic to fish. However, no fish kills have been reported in Lake Pontchartrain, where the water that once covered 80 percent of the city was pumped.
Once again, this appears to be yet another example of media senstationalism that proves to be less than meets the eye when examined further. Yet another reason not to trust what you read in the papers or see on the television.
H/T: Captain’s Quarters
