For years the Soughwest Louisiana area has been under ...



CALCASIEU PARISH

THE STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Southwest Louisiana Chamber of Commerce – Environmental Committee

2004

For several years the Southwest Louisiana area, Calcasieu Parish in particular, has been under significant study by several state and federal agencies. The studies are drawing to a close and the results are being published. The findings can be generally summarized in one statement – “Environmental problems in Calcasieu Parish are nowhere near the level of concern that some perceived.”

A summary of studies by the U. S. Department of Environmental Quality (EPA), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals (LDHH), Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), and the Lake Area Industry Alliance (LAIA) include:

Cancer Incidence Studies

According to a January 2002 news release by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH), “Calcasieu cancer rates are similar to state & national averages.” DHH’s statistical review analyzed 22 types of cancer for four demographic groups (black males, black females, white males and white females). The review found that overall cancer incidence in Calcasieu Parish for the studied years, 1987 – 1997, was comparable to cancer incidence statewide for three of the demographic groups. The fourth group, black males, had a significantly lower incidence rate than the rest of the state. Some of the cancer types evaluated showed lower incidence rates and a few showed elevated incidence rates. Soft tissue tumors, which are sometimes associated with dioxin exposure, were found to be elevated but accounted for less than 1 percent of the total cancer cases during that period and none were found in the residents of Mossville. Lung and bladder cancers were also elevated, but the significant risk factors for these cancers include tobacco use and other life style exposures. For more information on these studies visit the DHH website at

Dioxin Studies

Blood Dioxin Levels - According to preliminary results of a study by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) residents in Calcasieu Parish have blood dioxin levels similar to other parts of the nation including non-industrialized areas, like neighboring Lafayette Parish. A 2002 study by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) was conducted to determine if residents of Calcasieu Parish have been exposed to unusual levels of dioxin. The study compared blood dioxin levels of people in Calcasieu Parish to those of a similar group in Lafayette Parish. Blood dioxin levels in both parishes were also compared to the ATSDR’s best estimate of a non-Louisiana background level. The preliminary findings of the study :

1. People who live in Calcasieu & Lafayette parishes have similar dioxin levels.

2. People who live in different areas of Calcasieu Parish have similar dioxin levels.

3. Most people in both parishes have levels below ATSDR’s best estimate of non-Louisiana residents.

4. A small group of people in both parishes have dioxin levels somewhat above this level; most are over 55 years of age.

More information on these studies may be viewed by visiting the following website:

Dioxin in the air – In calendar year 2000, the EPA conducted a yearlong study to determine the level of dioxin in the ambient air of Calcasieu Parish. The study of samples from five different monitoring sites was based on sound scientific principals and rigorous quality control procedures. After twelve months of study, the EPA concluded that the level of dioxin in the air in Calcasieu Parish was only slightly higher than the national background level as measured in rural non-industrialized areas around the United States. The average level for Calcasieu Parish was 12.9 femtograms (1 x 10-18 grams) per cubic meter compared to the national average of 11.7 femtograms and that levels fluctuated in a similar pattern to worldwide fluctuations. The dioxin air quality data may be viewed on the LDEQ web site at

Water Studies

Calcasieu Estuary - According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the study of the Calcasieu Estuary has been one of the most complex of its kind in the country. This comprehensive study included an analysis of the water quality in the estuary, an examination of the estuary’s sediment and health risk assessments to animals, plants, and humans. Initial studies of the estuary date back decades; this most recent and comprehensive study was overseen by the Calcasieu Parish Estuary Task Force. The task force is a collaborative effort between activists, elected officials, federal & state agency officials, McNeese professors and industry representatives. Through the utilization of sound scientific principals, federal and state agencies defined the “state of the estuary.” After years of work and millions of dollars, the study concluded that there were only a few areas of the estuary that were of some concern. Discussions for remediation of the areas of interest are already underway.

In general, the report was reflective of the fact that the existing contamination is the result of historic activities, which have long since been discontinued. The details of the investigation may be viewed at earth1r6/6sf/pdffiles/epaldeq.pdf

Drinking Water & Groundwater – There has been much confusion in the community regarding the difference between groundwater and drinking water. In Calcasieu Parish, there are some identified areas of groundwater contamination from historic industrial operations; however, there is no industrial contamination in any of the drinking water supplies. Public water supplies in Calcasieu Parish are drawn primarily from the 500-foot sands of the Chicot Aquifer, well below any contaminated sand layers. While there are some smaller wells that draw from the 200-foot sands of the aquifer, they have been tested and found to be free of industrial contamination. More information about environmental testing of the Chicot Aquifer and the results can be found on the web at

Air Quality Studies

Volatile Organic Compounds - After 34 months of a 36-month study, scientific data is showing that air in Calcasieu Parish is indeed safe to breathe. Since January 2000 the Lake Area Industry Alliance, under the watchful eyes of the EPA and the LDEQ, has sponsored five monitoring sites to sample and analyze ambient air for 104 different volatile organic compounds. During this 34-month period, over 80,000 data points have been generated with only two (in the year 2000) exceeding the standard. All other data was below LDEQ ambient air standards and all data, including the two that exceeded the standards, were below any levels of health concern as established by the ATSDR.

The LDEQ independently operated two monitoring sites adjacent to two of the LAIA monitors, they yielded similar results. The air quality data may be viewed on the LDEQ web site at

Ozone Studies – The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality continuously monitors for Ozone levels at several monitoring sites across Calcasieu Parish. The monitors are consistently yielding results that are below the current federal one-hour standard as well as the soon to be implemented eight-hour standard. A recent LDEQ computer modeling study demonstrated that ozone levels in Calcasieu Parish are negatively impacted by emissions transport from the Houston and Golden Triangle Area. More information on ozone may be found on the LDEQ web site at

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