Associated Press - November 24, 2009 9:54 AM ET

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - The federal government has said testing for creosote by the city of Hattiesburg in a neighborhood near a closed plant was inadequate.

In a letter to the city earlier this month, the Environmental Protection Agency said the work done by APEX Environmental Consultants to determine whether the soil and groundwater of the residential neighborhood in south Hattiesburg was still contaminated with creosote did not comply with its standards and protocols.

The Hattiesburg American reports that the Forrest County Environmental Support Team, a group of environmental activists and property owners, has asked the city to test again.

Officials at APEX told the newspapers that they had no comment at this time.

City officials said they hope to talk with the EPA representatives to determine what the next step will be.

Information from: Hattiesburg American, http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com

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