The toxins in the water are suspected to have come from the wide spread debris. It is well known that there were many oil refineries in the Gulf Coast, and when they were destroyed they leaked oil and other harmful chemicals into the water. In addition, plants in the area that refined chemicals and produced other materials hazardous to the environment were destroyed and their contents were released into the water. One nurse working for the Red Cross was quoted as saying, "We observed in our tour of hard-hit areas that as the floodwater has receded, and the toxin-laced sediment and residue has dried, dust begins to swirl with wind or disturbance. This fine, toxic dust presents a serious risk to citizens if inhaled." This toxic dust which is now covering the city and surrounding areas can potentially pose severe risks to human and animal health, as well as damage the
The toxins in the water are suspected to have come from the wide spread debris. It is well known that there were many oil refineries in the Gulf Coast, and when they were destroyed they leaked oil and other harmful chemicals into the water. In addition, plants in the area that refined chemicals and produced other materials hazardous to the environment were destroyed and their contents were released into the water. One nurse working for the Red Cross was quoted as saying, "We observed in our tour of hard-hit areas that as the floodwater has receded, and the toxin-laced sediment and residue has dried, dust begins to swirl with wind or disturbance. This fine, toxic dust presents a serious risk to citizens if inhaled." This toxic dust which is now covering the city and surrounding areas can potentially pose severe risks to human and animal health, as well as damage the