The Environmental Health Impact of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans

Am J Public Health. 2020 Oct;110(10):1480-1484. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2020.305809. Epub 2020 Aug 20.

Abstract

Hurricane Katrina caused unprecedented flood damage to New Orleans, Louisiana, and has been the costliest hurricane in US history. We analyzed the environmental and public health outcomes of Hurricane Katrina by using Internet searches to identify epidemiological, sociodemographic, and toxicological measurements provided by regulatory agencies.Atmospheric scientists have now warned that global warming will increase the proportion of stronger hurricanes (categories 4-5) by 25% to 30% compared with weaker hurricanes (categories 1-2).With the new $14.6 billion Hurricane Storm Damage Risk Reduction System providing a 100-year storm surge-defensive wall across the Southeast Louisiana coast, New Orleans will be ready for stronger storms in the future.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cyclonic Storms
  • Environment*
  • Environmental Health*
  • Floods*
  • Fungi
  • Gasoline / analysis
  • Hazardous Substances / adverse effects
  • Hazardous Substances / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Metals, Heavy / analysis
  • Metals, Heavy / toxicity
  • New Orleans
  • Public Health

Substances

  • Gasoline
  • Hazardous Substances
  • Metals, Heavy