Protect Roseland Children. Close the School Until the Campus Is Proven Safe
“Our community watched a toxic black rain fall over our homes and our children’s school after the explosion near Roseland. Parents are not willing to gamble with our kids’ health. Until independent testing proves the campus is safe, Roseland Montessori School should be closed and students relocated. Protecting children must come before convenience or politics.”

 
Background
Following the explosion at Smitty’s Supply Inc. near Roseland, Louisiana, a toxic black rain containing oily soot reportedly fell across the surrounding community. Homes, vehicles, playgrounds, and the grounds of Roseland Montessori School were coated with this fallout.

Residents across the area have reported persistent coughing, burning eyes, headaches, nausea, fatigue, and other symptoms consistent with chemical exposure. Animals and wildlife in affected areas have also reportedly become sick or died.

Children are particularly vulnerable to environmental toxins. Their developing lungs, immune systems, and neurological systems are more sensitive to heavy metals and industrial chemicals that can cause long-term health damage.

Despite these concerns, local officials have stated that the school environment is safe. Many parents and residents strongly disagree and believe that asking children to attend school on potentially contaminated property places them at unacceptable risk.

 
Evidence and Independent Findings
Recent reporting and independent environmental sampling have raised additional concerns about contamination following the explosion at Smitty’s Supply Inc..

According to reporting by Louisiana Public Broadcasting journalist Christina Jensen, independent environmental testing conducted with researcher Scott Smith identified elevated levels of hazardous compounds in samples collected in the Roseland area after the explosion.

Testing reportedly detected elevated levels of dioxins and PFOS, commonly known as “forever chemicals.” These substances are associated with long-term environmental persistence and potential health risks.

According to the report, some concentrations were stated to be higher than levels documented in water samples following the East Palestine train derailment incident.

Photographs and observations from the sampling effort reportedly suggest possible chemical discharge flowing toward the Tangipahoa River, raising concerns that waterways may act as pathways for contamination affecting surrounding communities.

Researchers involved in the sampling have stated that the findings are being submitted to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality for review.

Residents have also attended community meetings to discuss the findings and report health symptoms they believe may be connected to the environmental fallout.

Given these reported findings and the potential risks to children, immediate precautionary action is necessary.

 
Our Demands
We, the parents, families, and citizens of Tangipahoa Parish, call for the following actions to protect public health and the safety of our children.

1. Immediate Closure of Roseland Montessori School
Roseland Montessori School must be closed immediately until independent environmental and public health experts determine the property is safe.

2. Temporary Relocation of Students and Staff
Students and staff should be relocated to a safe temporary learning facility until testing and remediation are completed.

3. Comprehensive Environmental Testing
Officials must conduct extensive testing of soil, groundwater, surface water, air quality, and sediment within at least a 13-mile radius of the explosion site.

4. Independent Environmental Investigation
Testing must be conducted or verified by independent laboratories with oversight from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

5. Public Transparency
All environmental test results should be publicly released within 48 hours of receipt and communicated clearly to residents.

6. Long-Term Environmental Monitoring
Long-term monitoring should track soil, water, and air contamination until independent experts confirm the environment is safe.

7. Medical Screening for Residents
Free health screenings should be provided for residents exposed to fallout, including heavy metal and toxic exposure testing.

8. Environmental Cleanup Plan
Officials must publish a remediation plan detailing how contamination will be addressed and the timeline for cleanup.

9. Protection of the Tangipahoa River
Testing and monitoring must be conducted on the Tangipahoa River to evaluate environmental impact on water and wildlife.

10. Public Community Hearing
A public hearing should allow residents, scientists, and officials to discuss the contamination and response.

11. Investigation and Accountability
A full investigation should determine whether safety violations or regulatory failures contributed to the explosion at Smitty’s Supply Inc..

12. Citizen Oversight Committee
A community oversight committee including residents, parents, scientists, and public health experts should monitor the investigation and cleanup process.

 
Precautionary Principle
When credible evidence suggests environmental contamination that may threaten human health, especially children, government officials have a duty to act cautiously and prioritize protection.

Schools should not remain open where contamination risks have not been fully investigated and ruled out by independent experts.

Until comprehensive testing confirms that the campus and surrounding environment are safe, the responsible course of action is to close Roseland Montessori School and relocate students and staff.

Protecting children must always come first.

 
Escalation and Oversight Request
If immediate protective action is not taken locally, this matter should be escalated to state and federal authorities.

Copies of this petition and supporting documentation should be submitted to:

• Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality
• Louisiana Department of Health
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

These agencies should review environmental contamination, evaluate health risks, and ensure proper remediation and enforcement actions are taken.

 
Take Action
By signing this petition, you are standing up for the health and safety of the children and families of Tangipahoa Parish.

Please sign and share so officials take immediate action.