those white van or not for evacuation'

they are EPA contract TAGA vehichles


Air Screening Data - Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer (TAGA)



the gulf has toxic air quality





EPA collected air screening samples from multiple locations across the New Orleans metropolitan area starting on September 12. The samples were analyzed for volatile priority pollutants such as benzene, toluene, and xylene, which are commonly found in gasoline, as well as other industrial solvents. EPA used two of its Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer (TAGA) buses. The TAGA is a self-contained mobile laboratory capable of continuous, real-time sampling and analysis. It can detect chemicals in the low parts per billion levels of outdoor air or emissions from various environmental sources. TAGA monitoring results are only used for screening and represent the status of the air at the time of sampling. These screening data were evaluated against the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) air short-term health guidance values in order to provide an initial assessment of air quality.

The screening results indicated that chemical concentrations in most areas are below ATSDR guidance values. The low level of volatile pollutants is not surprising as contaminants may be bound to the sediment. Monitoring data in the vicinity of the Murphy Oil spill revealed some elevated levels of benzene and xylene that are associated with the petroleum release. Long-term exposure (a year or longer) at the levels measured would be required for health effects to be of concern. On October 2, confirmation sampling of the cleanup response to Murphy Oil (St. Bernard Parish) resulted in the detection of low levels of volatile pollutants that were below the ATSDR guidance values.

On October 13th, the TAGA detected benzene at 230 ppb at the point where Williams Boulevard passes underneath US Interstate 10. EPA believes based on its best professional judgement and historical knowledge of TAGA's capability to detect low levels of emissions from vehicular traffic, that the elevated benzene was due to exhaust from vehicles traveling on US Interstate 10 and the recent increase of vehicular traffic in the area. Levels of benzene in the surrounding area were below the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's (ATSDR) acute (24 hr), health guidance values.

These initial results represent the beginning of extensive sampling efforts and do not represent all air conditions throughout the area. As this is a dynamic situation, general conclusions should not be made regarding air safety based on results from this snapshot of data.