Update 6/24 @ 12:10 AM - The EPA has a BP Air Monitoring page with a zoomable map of toxic air quality in affected areas along the Gulf Coast on it's site.
At this moment, they state:
"EPA has observed odor-causing pollutants associated with oil on the shore in the gulf region at low levels. Some of these chemicals may cause short-lived effects like headache, eye, nose and throat irritation, or nausea. Some people may be able to smell several of these chemicals at levels well below those that would cause short-term health problems.
EPA is also conducting additional air monitoring for ozone and airborne particulate matter. The air monitoring conducted through June 21 has found levels of ozone and particulates ranging from the "good" to "unhealthy for sensitive groups" levels on EPA's Air Quality Index."
A week ago on 6/16, "Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals are in, showing 109 reports of illnesses from spill workers and others after exposure to polluted water, tar balls, liquid oil, odor and fumes, dispersant, and heat in the Gulf," and this was a 35% increase since the previous week.
"The illness -- marked by headaches, fatigue, upset stomach, and problems with memory and concentration -- has been dubbed Toxicant Induced Loss of Tolerance, or TILT. People suffering from TILT lose the ability to tolerate exposures to household chemical products, medication or even food...
"Regardless of whether the illness being reported in Gulf cleanup workers and residents ends up being confirmed as TILT, the fact remains that the chemicals people are being exposed to in the oil and dispersants are known to have health impacts including eye, skin and respiratory irritation, as well as headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea and confusion. An analysis of EPA air testing data has found levels of these chemicals in coastal communities exceeding safety standards..."
********* End Updates *********
Study the wind patterns.
Read the captions.
Category 3 Hurricane
Katrina, 2004Category 5 Hurricane
Gulf of Mexico, Early June 2010
Highly Toxic Oil Dispersant Overused In The Gulf
Toxic Chemicals & Methane Gas In The Gulf Rise Into The Air.Moisture is released from the clouds as rain.
Nuking SolutionRoll of the Die, by Kit
Amy, Joe, Jamal, Erin, Samantha, Troy, Tanisha, Larry, Michelle,
Michael, Julia, David, Benjamin, Maria, Chris, Bobby, Ming, Jose, Yasmin
Not pictured: See accompanying In Memoriam book.
Riddle me this:
"The answer is blowin' in the wind."
~ Stevie Wonder
What is the question?
After studying the hurricane wind patterns, are you safe?
Thought for now and weeks to come:
Got a back up plan?
Oh Kit.Yes this is a very valid and scary observation.It would not hurt us to study the wind dispersal patterns from Chernobyl, yes different toxicity but possibility the spread pattern might teach us something.
ReplyDeleteMy dear God, that this horror may be raining down on us. On children, pregnant women.
I don't know what else to say, I'm repeatedly left at a loss these days as the horror piles up.
When does it end?!?
ReplyDeleteReggie, Sad to say, but I'd bet the bank it's just beginning.
ReplyDeleteOso, I envy that you're out in Cali. You'll be fine.
Readers This just in from the EPA. They have a map of the affected areas.
ReplyDelete"EPA has observed odor-causing pollutants associated with oil on the shore in the gulf region at low levels. Some of these chemicals may cause short-lived effects like headache, eye, nose and throat irritation, or nausea. Some people may be able to smell several of these chemicals at levels well below those that would cause short-term health problems.
EPA is also conducting additional air monitoring for ozone and airborne particulate matter. The air monitoring conducted through June 21 has found levels of ozone and particulates ranging from the "good" to "unhealthy for sensitive groups" levels on EPA's Air Quality Index."
http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/air.html
Btw, it's called TILTI
This is some pretty s**t. Isn't it? Good piece Kit. They actually have been studying wind effects of Chernobyl ... I've seen it posted somewhere...
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't get any easier... do it?
*sigh* Unfortunately, if it gets into the Gulf Stream nobody is going to be completely safe. Still, now might be a good time to see about getting a passport...
ReplyDeleteBrownbelle, Yes, I've been thinking along those lines too. It may be the better solution, depending on where you live and what your job prospects are if you have to relocate. Short of no-hurricane season, I don't see how a lot of Gulf coastal area and Florida residents can avoid not leaving, and given this anemic economy, where are they going to work even if they find a place in the US to live?
ReplyDeleteGwen, Chernobyl wind patters... excellent comparison. I hope you write a post on that.
If/when they ever cap this sucker the damage is already done. These short term health problems, like short term disability, can quickly become long term and life threatening. Sadly, it won't be long before humans start succumbing from these toxic culprits, and it'll take thousands of deaths before BP owns up to the cause and takes responsibility. I doubt they ever will.
ReplyDeleteStrangely, as a Gulf resident, I haven't had any problems, nor even noticed a smell. And I'm out pretty often, usually jogging in the early morning for a while.
ReplyDeleteWeird.
Big Man, I don't think it's weird at all - there haven't been any hurricanes yet. Keep the first link in this post. There you'll find the EPA's map of (updated) air quality, and you can zoom in closer. Your city is good so far.
ReplyDeletePenny, BP's pockets aren't deep enough to pay for all the damage done in next year. We're going be stuck with most of the tab.