Hazardous Substance Research Centers/South & Southwest

Summary of Assistance (through June, 2005)

TOSC has worked with the Shreveport, Louisiana community group Residents for Air Neutralization (RAN) since August 2002. RAN's primary concern is with exposures from a lubricating oil refinery that sits in the middle of several neighborhoods. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has worked in the community for several years, and a health consultation prepared by ATSDR was completed in August of 2003 and was released for public comments. TOSC was present for the release meeting.

In February 2003, TOSC, along with ATSDR, presented an environmental workshop addressing specific concerns of RAN. In April of 2003, TOSC gave a presentation on the H2S and SO2 air monitors. RAN had requested these monitors, and LDEQ placed the monitors near the community in November of 2002. Since then ATSDR has recommended continued monitoring of H₂S and SO₂ and long-term air sampling for VOCs. The final draft of the ATSDR health consultation, which addressed public comments, was made public in May 2004.

In August 2004, TOSC offered assistance and participated in a community health fair sponsored by LADHH. TOSC provided information about our program as well as information on petroleum refining and a demonstration of ToxTown-an interactive Web site about commonly encountered toxic substances, the environment, and health created by NIH.

In November 2004, TOSC was asked to present a workshop explaining the Louisiana Air Permitting Process & Public Participation. This workshop was in preparation for an upcoming meeting the community had with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) regarding a recent permit granted to a neighboring facility.

In March 2005 TOSC informed the RAN community of the new EPA Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) cooperative agreement. In May 2005, RAN and TOSC worked together on a CARE proposal entitled "Partnership for Community Action with the Residents for Air Neutralization of Shreveport, LA." The main objective of the partnership is to provide a comprehensive catalog of known potential environmental toxins within the RAN community in order for residents to have a clear understanding of environmental risks. In August of 2005, TOSC and RAN were notified that the RAN/TOSC CARE proposal was not selected.

TOSC attended community meetings and has continued to assist the community by providing and explaining permitting information and providing information on grant availability and assistance.