Author’s note: This is yet another aspect of the Gulf oil disaster that is vastly under-reported. But what do we expect when BP won’t even let photographers take photos of oil-fouled beaches?
Excerpt:
Toxins that are released into the air from evaporating oil and dispersants may pose a greater health risk to clean-up workers and Gulf residents than oily water when the thickest parts of the oil slick wash ashore.
Media coverage of the BP oil disaster, thus far, has largely focused on the threats to wildlife and the potential economic impacts, while downplaying health risks to Gulf coast residents.
Scientists and researchers, however, are keenly aware of potential health risks to people not only from exposure to oil in the water, but also to fumes in the air. The Institute for Southern Studies (ISS) reported as early as May 10 that, “the latest evaluation of air monitoring data shows a serious threat to human health from airborne chemicals emitted by the ongoing deep water gusher.”
A report published by the Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN) analyzed data released by the EPA taken from a testing site in Venice, LA between April 26 and And May 26 (see chart). The results show unsafe levels of both Hydrogen Sulfide and VOCs in the air.
A more recent report published by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) analyzes offshore air quality data released by BP. The findings replicate conclusions in earlier reports that the level of toxins in the air is unsafe for humans. “Nearly 70% (275 out of 399) of offshore air samples had detectable levels of hydrocarbons and nearly 1 in 5 (73 out of 399) had levels greater than 10 parts per million (ppm), which is an EPA cutoff level for further investigation. 6 samples exceed 100 ppm which in a previous monitoring summary was labeled as the action limit.”
The report also notes that “the BP sampling plan focuses only on workers on the large ships, and appears to not include monitoring for the people on the approximately 1,500 small fishing boats helping to clean up the spill. These people are dismissed as of ‘Reduced Priority’ on page 4 of the BP sampling plan.” It is unclear what sort of priority BP places on Gulf coast residents.
These reports suggest that the gravest threat to Gulf residents from the BP oil disaster may be lurking unseen, in the air. There have been rumors, reports and talk of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) developing plans to evacuate the Gulf coast for up to 200 miles inland if the air becomes too toxic to breathe. While that would obviously be a worst-case scenario, if it is true that the government is even considering that possibility, then that may be cause for alarm.
Read more, get links and video here: Orlando Independent Examiner – Toxins in air from evaporating oil may pose greater threat to Gulf residents than oily water
Greg, I believe I mentioned before what my friend who lives in New Orleans told me about a month ago: She said there was a fine, oily-smelling mist that was coming in from the Gulf and it was giving her and her neighbors severe headaches. The only thing she could do to clear her head was stay in her air-conditioned apt. for a few hours.
Now, this was over 30 days ago — imagine how bad it is now.
Comment by RS Janes — June 16, 2010 @ 4:51 pm