oEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Summary of Actions Mossville Community Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana October 2010 The community of Mossville is situated in an unincorporated area near the cities of Lake Charles, Westlake and Sulphur, Louisiana. The EPA has worked with the community of Mossville and the Mossville Environmental Action Now (MEAN) group since 1997 regarding a number of environmental and public health, as well as other environmental justice concerns in the community. MEAN and the Advocates for Environmental Human Rights (AEHR) published a report by Subra Company in July 2007 that criticized the work done by ATSDR and EPA, utilizing Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) data to link industrial releases to exposure in the Mossville community. In May 2009, MEAN published a health survey of 69 individuals living in Mossville. This report discusses possible links between health outcomes and industrial releases. In March 2010 the Inter- American Commission on Human Rights accepted a human rights complaint filed by AEHR on behalf of people living in Mossville, Louisiana. In response to concerns expressed by the Mossville community, the EPA committed to the following actions: > investigate the long term legacy of contamination; > conduct an assessment of Mossville's drinking water system; > work with the state and industries to limit the occurrences of flaring and accidental releases; > work with the community and ATSDR to address health concerns, and access to health care; and > improve awareness and availability of data and information. The EPA is working with numerous community representatives and state and federal agencies to make significant strides toward completing these actions. To date, the Agency: > completed a Superfund Preliminary Assess- ment, February 2010, and collected samples from soil and tap water, April and August 2010. > conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the Mossville water system, April 2010; and preliminary results that the water is safe to drink and that the water system needs up- grading were shared with the community, August 2010. > completed Risk Management Plan inspec- tions at PPG Industries, Inc., Conoco- Phillips Refinery, Louisiana Pigment, Cal- casieu Refining Company, Westlake Petro- chemical, Sasol, and Firestone in 2010. (Deficiencies have been identified and en- forcement actions are anticipated) In addition, ATSDR reached out to the community through a health promotion campaign. The cam- paign entitled, "Its All About Your Health," was conducted in Mossville from March 13 - April 10, 2010. ATSDR also is working with the community to provide other consulting and educational services available through the American College of Medical Toxicology and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). On August 21, 2010, ATSDR presented and discussed options and cost for access to health care with the community. EPA continues to work with the Mossville commu- nity to honor the Agency's commitments. To help the community become healthier and more sustain- able, the Agency created a comprehensive ap- proach, consisting of the following four focus areas: > Improve Access to Healthcare - Develop a partnership with industry and Community Based Organizations (CBO's) to improve ------- access to health care for industrial workers perform air monitoring to document the safe and for the community. operations of the facilities. > Secure Safe, Clean and Viable Drinking > Determine the Sustainabilitv of the Moss- Water - Develop a program to improve ville Communitv - Determine the interest access to safe drinking water. The Moss- and develop support for an expansion of ville Comprehensive Water System Evalua- green-space or a buffer zone around the in- tion uncovered some issues that require dustry to afford residents the opportunity to administrative, fiscal and operational im- sell their property. provements. For example, additional opera- tors are needed to assist with the day to day EPA will review information and revise its ap- operations. proach from time to time, as deemed necessary, to ensure the community's concerns are being effec- > Ensure Safe Air Oualitv - Partner with in- tively addressed through a holistic, multimedia dustry and the state to facilitate better com- approach. munications at the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) level and to George Pettigrew For more information... ATSDR (6SF-T) 214.665.8361 or 1.800.533.3508 (toll-free) Sam Coleman, Director Superfund Division Information Repository 214.665.3110 or 1.800.533.3508 (toll-free) McNeese University Frazar Memorial Library Brenda Cook, Site Assessment Manager Government Document Department/4th Floor U.S. EPA (6SF-TR) 4205 Ryan Street 214.665.7436 or 1.800.533.3508 (toll-free) Lake Charles, LA 70609 337.475.5740 Bill Little, Community Involvement Coordinator/SEE U.S. EPA (6SF-VO) To have your name and address added to the Mossville 214.665.8131 or 1.800.533.3508 (toll-free) site mailing list call 1.800.533.3508 (toll-free). For press inquiries, please contact the Region 6 Press Office at 214.665.2200. ------- |