7 Oct 2009

Toxic debris in American Samoa still being assessed

12:25 pm on 7 October 2009

An assessment of how much toxic rubbish the tsunami's created in American Samoa has yet to be completed.

Debris soaked with diesel and other hazardous materials stored along the edges of Pago Pago Harbour has been reported to have been slowing down a clearing operation and posing serious health risks to residents.

The Environmental Protection Agency, one of the organisations involved in the clean-up, says a swift response has insured the damage from spilled chemicals in the harbour area in both the water and on land has been minimal.

But an analyst with the American military's Pacific Command Joint Task Force for Homeland Defence, Amir Abdmishani, says the disaster caused a lot of toxic materials to be spilled.

"They're still assessing the environmental impact of that so there's been no definitive ruling on how bad it is. We have a joint hazardous material taskforce right now that's been formed comprised of military and civilian personnel who are out there doing assessment and clean up."

Amir Abdmishani of the American military's Pacific Command Joint Task Force for Homeland Defence.