July 26, 2010

Contact: Anna Hrybyk, Program Manager (504) 484-3433

On July 10, 2010 a citizen sampler trained by the Louisiana Bucket Brigade took an air sample using the “bucket” while on a boat in Bay Coquette, to the west of Venice, LA. The air sample results show low levels of toluene (1.5 ppb) and chlorobenzene (2.4 ppb), both volatile organic compounds. These levels were far below Louisiana’s Ambient Air Quality standards. The sample analysis is included.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has developed toxicological profiles for toluene and chlorobenzene:

Toluene (http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/phs56.html)

“A serious health concern is that toluene may have an effect on your brain. Toluene can cause headaches and sleepiness, and can impair your ability to think clearly. Whether or not toluene does this to you depends on the amount you take in, how long you are exposed, and your genetic susceptibility and age. Low to moderate, day-after day exposure in your workplace can cause tiredness, confusion, weakness, drunken-type actions, memory loss, nausea, and loss of appetite. These symptoms usually disappear when exposure is stopped. Researchers do not know if the low levels of toluene you breathe at work will cause any permanent effects on your brain or body after many years. Studies in workers and animals exposed to toluene generally indicate that toluene does not cause cancer.”

Chlorobenzene (http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/phs131.html)

“Workers exposed to high levels of chlorobenzene complained of headaches, numbness, sleepiness, nausea, and vomiting. However, it is not known if chlorobenzene alone was responsible for these health effects since the workers may have also been exposed to other chemicals at the same time. In animals, exposure to high concentrations of chlorobenzene affects the brain, liver, and kidneys. Unconsciousness, tremors and restlessness have been observed. The chemical can cause severe injury to the liver and kidneys. Data indicate that chlorobenzene does not affect reproduction or cause birth defects. Studies in animals have shown that chlorobenzene can produce liver nodules, providing some but not clear evidence of cancer risk.” 

Though the levels of toxins the bucket sample found were low, the sampler did report health effects and a powerful smell at the site where the sample was taken. “Our eyes were itchy and watering and one member of our group was coughing. The smell was a mixture of oil and a sweet smell.”

The sample was taken N29.20492, W-89.48041 and has been plotted on the Oil Spill Crisis Map. To view the map of the sample location and to download this release, please see the document link below.

To view the results of the sample, click here.