In the continuing response to the August 22 fire at the Smitty’s Supply facility in Roseland, Louisiana, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is stepping up water testing efforts in the Tangipahoa River and surrounding areas.

This week, the EPA begins a series of expanded sampling operations that will continue over the next five weeks. The goal: to get a clearer picture of the pollutants in local water and sediment, and better understand the environmental impacts of the fire.

The testing will cover a wide area, including the Tangipahoa River upstream and downstream of the Smitty’s site, as well as nearby ponds and drainage ditches. According to the EPA, the agency is sampling for a range of substances including Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and various metals and organics.

Results from the first round of testing are expected by October 21.

While the EPA’s primary focus is on pollutants related to the fire—such as petroleum by-products and chemicals used in firefighting—officials acknowledge that this sampling effort could also reveal contaminants from past industrial activity, agricultural runoff, or other upstream sources.

This expanded effort builds on the ongoing cleanup operations that began shortly after the fire. Since August, crews have been working around the clock to contain and remove oily waste from the river and surrounding areas. As of early October, more than 9.9 million gallons of contaminated material have been recovered.

The EPA emphasized that the Tangipahoa River is not a source of drinking water, and there has been no impact on local drinking water systems. However, residents are urged to follow all local advisories and closures related to the river, for their own safety and that of the response teams working in the area.

Air monitoring began immediately after the fire and initially focused on volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM2.5), and benzene. No sustained levels above safety thresholds were detected, and after the fire was extinguished on September 8, air monitoring was scaled back to four perimeter stations for continued VOC detection.

Soot from the fire also spread across a wide area. After testing soot samples, toxicologists from the EPA and the State of Louisiana found that the material does not pose an imminent health threat. However, residents are still advised to follow general hygiene precautions, including washing soot-covered outdoor surfaces and thoroughly washing hands after contact with affected areas.

The EPA continues to work in partnership with the State of Louisiana and Tangipahoa Parish to accelerate recovery, bring in specialized expertise, and ensure transparency with the public. Cleanup efforts at the Smitty’s Supply site and surrounding waterways remain active, with a focus on stabilizing the site and preventing further contamination.

For residents experiencing health symptoms related to the incident, the Louisiana Poison Center is available 24/7 at 1-800-222-1222.