The eight hazardous waste or chemicals plants in the way of hurricane Katrina did not release chemicals in their surroundings as feared, reports the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The agency collected soil and sediment samples from around the eight plant sites and compared the amount of chemicals they contained to samples taken before the storm. The samples were analysed for heavy metals, carcinogenic chemicals, pesticides and hazardous petroleum derivatives. The results were also compared to the norms for lifelong exposure deemed safe for people.

"Based on the sampling results, EPA does not believe these sites were impacted by hurricane Katrina,' the report said. Nathan Pepper, a spokesman for DuPont, whose site was also investigated, said that state and federal government tests "all show the same thing