Hazardous Substance Research Centers/South & Southwest

Site description

The Treme community is located in the downtown area outside of the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. Treme is the oldest African-American neighborhood in the United States and was the site of significant economic, cultural, political, social and legal events that have shaped Black America. It is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, and early in the city's history was the main neighborhood of free people of color.

Recently, a small group of residents came together to form the Toxic Treme Community Organization because of their concerns with the site of a former chemical company (United Chemical) that is located within the Treme community. The United Chemical Company operated from 1946-1972 and produced creosote products, pesticides and other compounds. The community feels that the soil and/or groundwater at this site may possibly be contaminated with compounds used or manufactured at this facility and that over the years residents have been exposed to harmful amounts of contaminants that have caused many of the health problems for people in the community. The community also has concerns about several former dry cleaning facility sites in their area.

Summary of assistance (through September, 2005)

Building upon TOSC work with the Treme Neighborhood, TAB is evaluating a City of New Orleans proposed Phase I Environmental Site Assessment to be performed at the site of the African-American Museum. The Museum was used from the turn of the century as a wood treatment facility and later as a chemical manufacturing site.

In June of 2005, the city and the city environmental contractor put together a proposed work plan for the proposed Phase I. In July of 2005, the work plan was revised based on comments by the community, TOSC, and others.

The Treme community experienced flooding and other hurricane related damage due to Hurricane Rita. Many of the residents were displaced and have not been able to return. The TAB Region 6 team is assisting the City of New Orleans with the large issues of contamination and perceived contamination which exists due to the flooding.