HELP BAN DISPERSANTS NOW!
Every one of us can help to get dispersants off the list of approved methods for dealing with an oil spill. Please read your Coastkeeper’s blog here: http://www.emeraldcoastkeeper.org/2010/06/28/375/ to find out how you can help.
Gulf Oil Spill Information
Check air quality from DEP here: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/air.htm
Check water quality from DEP here: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/water.htm
DO NOT attempt to clean oil or handle wildlife without proper training. It could be very dangerous, both for you and the animal.
We are sorry to report that the latest volunteer news is that they will not be used to help with direct cleanup (not even properly trained volunteers). If you would like to aid in direct cleanup efforts you will have to agree to be hired by BP.
However volunteers CAN be the eyes and ears for our coastal resources and friends. If you see anything related to oil in your favorite fishing hole, or on your favorite beach please call 1-866-448-5816 right away (you will probably have to leave a message).
Emerald Coastkeeper is looking for a group of dedicated folks who would like to help with long term monitoring of our precious coastlines. Volunteers must commit to visiting the same site at least once per month. If this is something you are interested in please email us at volunteer@emeraldcoastkeeper.org and let us know where (in general) you would be interested in monitoring and whether you have your own camera and a GPS device.
For updates on the Gulf Waterkeepers’ response visit:
To report oiled wildlife, call 1-866-557-1401
To discuss oil related damage, call 1-800-440-0858
To make your boat available to assist with the response, call 1-281-366-5511
To report oiled shoreline or request volunteer information, call 1-866-448-5816
Or call the Florida State Emergency Information line at 1-800-342-3557
WHERE IS THE OIL?
Folks, the oil has NOT magically disappeared. The truth is we know that roughly 25% was skimmer, burned and recovered. That leaves 3.75 million barrels (or 165 million gallons) of oil yet to be removed. Let us not forget to add the nearly 2 million gallons of dispersant to that. Approximately 25% remains as it was spilled and the other ~50% has been dissolved, broken down into other forms and dispersed INTO the Gulf, it is still there, period.
All projections of where oil is are based on what is floating on top, a small percentage of total oil in our Gulf. The use of dispersants at such large levels has greatly complicated this issue of following where the oil is.
The oil has made landfall in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and northwest Florida.
Underwater plumes: “The southwest plume has been traced over 20 miles from the well, while another plume extends more than 30 miles (48 kilometers).
YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY
People on the coast may be able to smell volatile organic carbons that evaporate from the oil spill. Exposure to low levels of VOCs may cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. The VOC smell may give you a headache or upset stomach. It is possible that people with asthma, COPD, and other respiratory problems may be more sensitive to the effects of inhaled VOCs. Stay indoors to limit your exposure, close windows and doors, and set your air conditioner to a recirculation mode.
On May 26, seven crew members aboard fishing vessels who had been working to clean up Breton Sound, southeast of New Orleans, blamed the chemicals for health complaints including nausea, shortness of breath and high blood pressure. Brief contact with a small amount of oil spill dispersants should not cause you harm, but longer contact can cause a rash, dry skin, and eye irritation. Breathing or swallowing dispersants can cause health effects. For more information on the health impacts associated with the oil spill, visit the CDC Emergency website.
DEBATE ON DISPERSANTS
Nearly 2 MILLION gallons of total dispersant have been deployed—on the surface and beneath the surface. The dispersant in use is Corexit, a product that is banned from use in the United Kingdom. The EPA issued a directive weeks ago instructing BP to seek less toxic alternatives, but the oil company responded (legally) with a no thanks. BP also disputed EPA’s toxicity assessment, an assessment which EPA is now disputing itself. For more information on dispersants, how they work, and potential risks, see the Dispersants Guided Tour on the NOAA Emergency Response website.
Please send a letter to EPA now requesting them to take control and remove dispersants from a list of approved means of dealing with an oil spill. For more info read your Coastkeeper’s blog here: dispersants.
FLORIDA‘S STANCE ON OFF-SHORE DRILLING
Many local governments have adopted resolutions banning offshore drilling. Does your community oppose drilling? Find out at Protect Florida’s Beaches
You can also urge the State of Florida to PERMANENTLY ban offshore drilling with a constitutional amendment by signing Senator Nelson’s petition here: Protect Our Shores
