On April 19, 2013, Government Accountability Project released Deadly Dispersants in the Gulf: Are Public Health and Environmental Tragedies the New Norm for Oil Spill Cleanups? The report details the devastating long-term effects on human health and the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem stemming from BP and the federal government's widespread use of the dispersant Corexit, in response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Several groups, individuals and LEAN address the ongoing health issues from the BP Oil Spill with a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Association and others...

Jon Bowermaster talkes with LEAN's Michael Orr about the new project, SoLa2050.org, and the lingering consequences of the BP oil disaster.

Doctor Who Treated Those Made Sick by BP’s Oil Disaster Worries Medical Settlement is Not Fair, Will Exclude Those with Serious Symptoms

Washington, D.C. -- A coalition of conservation, wildlife and public health groups in the Gulf region and in Alaska filed a citizen suit under the provisions of the Federal Clean Water Act today to compel the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue a rule on chemical oil dispersants. EPA's current rules --which during the 2010 Gulf oil disaster failed to ensure that dispersants would be used safely --do not fulfill the requirements mandated by the Clean Water Act.

This latest video by Jason Berry shows John Sullivan of the The University of Texas and Bryan Parras of Texas Environmental Justices Advocacy Services hard at work gathering samples of shrimp and oysters with the help of Louisiana fisherman George Barisich for the GCHARMS study.

The BP Deepwater Horizon rig exploded and burned in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 50 miles from the coast of Louisiana on April 20, 2010. Eleven workers were killed. The rig sank into the Gulf of Mexico on Earth Day, April 22, 2010. Large quantities of Louisiana Sweet Crude were released into the Gulf of Mexico from the Macondo well for 87 days.

Health Concerns in BP's Own Manual Raise Questions

Anonymous Whistleblower Provides Document; Groups Send Letter as Settlement Looms

Gulf Detox Project, Success Story #1

Vessel of Opportunity worker, Jorey Danos talks about his experience working the Oil Spill of 2010, his subsequent health problems and finding relief through the Gulf Coast Detoxification Project.

Hope at last!

Health Concerns have gone unaddressed for too long.
Detoxification program providing first sign of real solutions.
The Gulf Coast Detoxification Project is open and results are looking GREAT!

Making It Right? A clean-up worker & Gulf tourist discuss the health problems that they are experiencing following their interactions with the BP Gulf Oil Disaster.

In the wake of the BP Oil Disaster many Gulf Coast residents continue to face health challenges. Read more to watch the video.

On August 13, 2011 "tar logs" were collected by LEAN members from the shore of Ship Island off the coast of Mississippi. The tar logs, as they are being called, are brick sized globs of petroleum hydrocarbons that have been rolled into a cylindrical "log" shape by wave action. Samples of the tar logs were sent to a commercial laboratory for analysis.

On December 5th, 2011, The Sierra Club, Louisiana Environmental Action Network, the Steps Coalition and Mississippi Coalition for Vietnamese-American Fisher Folk and Families sponsored an educational forum to discuss the BP Oil Disaster and its impacts to our environment and communities, and how Gulf Coast researchers are addressing these concerns.

The following is a letter from Dr. Sharon A Croisant from the University of Texas Medical Branch announcing their new study, entitled Gulf Coast Health Alliance; Health Risks Related to the Macando Spill (GC-HARMS), that will help us to have a better understanding of the impacts of petroleum contamination in the Gulf region. It was recently funded by NIEHS. LEAN is proud to be a partner in this study!

It has been over fourteen months since the Deepwater Horizon sank releasing BP's oil into the Gulf of Mexico and coastal residents who feel that their health was impacted by the BP oil disaster are still struggling to find answers and relief.

Our partners at the Government Accountability Project will be in Louisiana and other Gulf coast states from August 10th - 16th to take statements from oil spill clean-up personnel (former or current, public or private-sector), and residents with health or safety concerns believed to be related to the BP Oil Spill.

We are encouraging all of our members with first hand information about the spill, conduct of BP, it's sub-contractors or otherwise to come forward at this time with health and safety related matters.

This is your opportunity to be part of the official record.

If you have any questions about this investigation. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 202.457.0034, x. 132 (o), 240.888.2898 (c)

It has been well over a year since the oil disaster of 2010 began in the Gulf of Mexico; it's end however is no where in sight. As time goes on and problems are left unresolved their impacts increase with each passing day. This past week the Alliance for Justice released a report describing the many problems with the Gulf Coast Claims Facility process. As perhaps the only viable option for fishermen, and local business owners to be "made whole," it is a tragedy that so many are left irrevocably damaged and inadequately compensated.

Following a report last week from our partners at SkyTruth and SouthWings, the Lower Mississippi Riverkeeper crew made our way to Breton Sound this past Friday in 'Julia' our 17' patrol boat. The goal was two fold. First check the status of the Well Head that had an oil slick emanating from it last week. Second, document the decaying oil and gas infrastructure in the area.

Jamie Griffin a hotel worker talks about the numerous health problems that have arisen directly during the time of exposure to BP Oil.

As we all know, people along the Gulf Coast are still suffering effects from the events of the oil spill of 2010. For over a year now, LEAN, along with many others, have been working to bring attention to this problem and ultimately find solutions. Perhaps the greatest problem we face in trying to resolve the health concerns of those effected is finding medical professionals willing and capable of diagnosing and affectively treating these conditions. Dr. Mike Robicheaux has been addressing this health crisis almost single handedly since last year.

A diverse coalition of 154 groups, including Waterkeeper Alliance, United Houma Nation, Association of Family Fishermen and 69 different Waterkeepers organizations, representing hundreds of thousands of community members around the country, Mexico and China, sent a letter to EPA Administrator Jackson and HHS Secretary Sebelius demanding action on the growing public health crisis on the Gulf Coast.

A diverse coalition of 154 groups, including Waterkeeper Alliance, United Houma Nation, Association of Family Fishermen and 69 different Waterkeepers organizations, representing hundreds of thousands of community members around the country, Mexico and China, sent a letter to EPA Administrator Jackson and HHS Secretary Sebelius demanding action on the growing public health crisis on the Gulf Coast.

Gulf "People Helping People" is a fundraising initiative of the Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN), a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization to support Gulf citizens impacted by the BP Gulf Oil Disaster. Proceeds will go directly to those most in need including fisherfolk, oil spill clean-up workers and residents who's livelihoods and families are suffering from either poor health and/or dire economic hardships. This effort has, and will continue to, assist Gulf oil spill workers, fisherfolk, and coastal residents with transportation and housing to enable them to attend important hearings and meetings, gather their testimonials and supported their participation in the free Gulf Detox Project (including transportation, housing, food and other necessities).

Dr. Susan Shaw, Director of the Marine Environmental Research Institute, discusses her ongoing efforts to study the effects of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. This interview was conducted at Harmony for Health's "Unity for the Gulf" fundraiser at New Orleans House of Blues on April 20, 2011, the one-year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon explosion.

Testimonial of Captain Darla Rooks

On the anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon disaster, Journey OnEarth explores how much damage the disaster has caused

In the debut episode of Journey OnEarth, we look at the impact of the Deepwater Horizon disaster through the eyes of the people looking for answers.

People experiencing health effects from the BP oil spill discuss their experiences and challenges at Dr. Michael Robichaux's farm in Raceland, Louisiana on April 9, 2011...nearly 1 year after the Horizon disaster.

Louisiana charter boat captain, Louis Bayhi, discusses the severe health problems he's experienced after serving on clean up crews in the wake of the BP oil spill.

The BP Deepwater Horizon explosion in the Gulf of Mexico offshore of Louisiana, on April 20, 2010, resulted in 172 million gallons of Louisiana sweet crude oil being released into the environment of the Gulf of Mexico.In addition 1.84 million gallons of Corexit 9500 and 9527 were applied to the BP crude oil.The crude oil and dispersants contaminated the environment of the Gulf of Mexico and the coastal areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the panhandle of Florida and resulted in severe human health impacts throughout the contaminated area.One year after the Deepwater Horizon explosion, the crude oil continues to be present in the environment, continues to migrate on shore along the northern Gulf of Mexico and continues to serve as an ongoing source of contamination and exposure to very sick community members living and working in the coastal areas of the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Last week at the Baton Rouge Press Club Dr. Michael Robicheaux spoke in-depth about the large number of sick people that he has been treating since the BP oil disaster occurred. The sick include workers who worked on the response to the disaster as well as divers, fishermen and coastal residents.

A friend of LEAN sent these images in. It is unfortunate that these deaths are still occurring and that little attention is being brought to their plight.

LEAN Technical Adviser, Wilma Subra, has been named the Domestic Honoree at the 9th annual Human Rights Awards

Wilma Subra in the field collecting samples.Since 2001, the Human Rights Awards Gala has brought together activists, supporters, and friends to recognize the efforts of exceptional individuals and organizations working for human rights from around the country and around the world.

On June 1, 2011, the work of Gulf Coast Activist Wilma Subra (Domestic Honoree) will be honored at the 9th annual Human Rights Awards. Wilma is an accomplished environmental scientist who has been on the front-lines fighting for the rights of local communities in Louisiana following the Gulf Spill. This year’s International Honoree is U.N. Ambassador for Bolivia Pablo Solón, a strong proponent of climate justice and the rights of nature.

A team of three scientific divers found high levels of ethyl benzene and xylene in their blood after completing 15-20, -dives of approximately 30 minutes, while wearing full wet suits. The diving was done over the summer and early fall of 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico Main Pass, Mississippi Canyon and Grand Isle areas. EcoRigs is a small, self-funded Non-profit Corporation that studies the marine life on offshore platforms. Initially, we were told it was safe to dive offshore but about the end of July, one of us started to show unusual symptoms and quit diving by mid-August. Then another member became sick in late September and we all stopped diving. Our last dive was October 12th 2010. Collectively, our symptoms included blood in our stool, bleeding from the nose and eyes, nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps and dizziness and confusion. The symptoms did not appear all at once but were intermittent and were not compounded but occurred independently. They started in July and will continue, I fear, into the future. Corexit and ethyl benzene attack the hemoglobin in the red blood cells and causes ruptures in the blood cell lining.

Working with the Louisiana Environmental Action Network and several doctors along the Gulf Coast, Billups and Nix have been holding workshops and helping sick people get their blood tested and find medical assistance.

"We have sick people from Apalachicola, Florida, to Grand Isle, Louisiana, and it's not stopping and that's what's disturbing," Billups said. "The levels we are seeing are not dropping, and we're seeing new chemicals now. We gave some of our blood test results to [EPA head] Lisa Jackson. They know what is going on, and they are not doing anything about it."

"The saddest part is the children," Billups added. "We’re seeing young children with extremely high levels of chemicals. We're altering our DNA and our bodies forever, We're a bunch of guinea pigs."

Read entire article

Human Health and Ecological Effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon Crude Oil Disaster

Presentation By: 
Wilma Subra
Subra Company

Download PDF 1.04 Mb

A forum held on February 5th 2011 in New Orleans. Featuring guest speaker Wilma Subra - Chemist for LEAN.

The wetlands here look typical, with nothing unnatural about the appearance of the water or the browning of the mid winter marsh grass. But with minimal effort it is easy to shatter the sense of normalcy of both of these sights.

Our never ending work on the health issues affecting people since the BP spill continues to gain the attention of the public and the media a like. The recent report released by our chemist Wilma Subra caught the attention of KLFY reporter Chuck Hubner.

Evaluation of the Results of Whole Blood Volatile Solvents Testing
By Wilma Subra
Subra Company
for the
Louisiana Environmental Action Network

Evaluation of the Results of Whole Blood Volatile Solvents Testing

Samples of blood were collected on December 16, 2010, from four males, age 3, 36, 42 and 43, and one female, age 38.  The individuals tested  were a diver who came in contact with the BP spill chemicals, individuals who visited the coastal communities and wetlands, documenting the impacts of the BP spill, and individuals exposed along the beaches.   The whole blood samples were analyzed for Volatile Solvents by Method 0762, Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry, by Metametrix Clinical Laboratory in Duluth, Georgia

In response to the BP Oil Disaster, the Lower Mississippi River Keeper (LMRK), Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN), and Subra Company have performed monitoring, sampling and analysis of the environment and seafood in the coastal estuaries and wetlands of Louisiana. Monitoring of the environmental and human health impacts were initiated immediately following the Deepwater Horizon explosion and resulting crude oil spill on April 20, 2010.  Physical and chemical field sampling and analysis of the wetlands and ecosystems, along the coast of Louisiana, were initiated on August 2, 2010. The field sampling has been performed and continues to be performed on an ongoing basis since August 2, 2010, from Atchafalaya Bay eastward to the Louisiana/Mississippi state line.

Results of sampling performed by the Lower Mississippi River Keeper in St. Bernard Parish on October 26, 2010

Tissue samples were collected from a cove, 1.4 miles from the southern end of a “spoil canal” south of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO). The sample of oysters contained 84 mg/kg of Petroleum Hydrocarbons and 2 Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) (3.6 ug/kg). The redfish sample contained 84 mg/kg Petroleum Hydrocarbons.

We have all had frustrations with the response to the recent Gulf oil disaster. One such frustration that we at Lower Mississippi Riverkeeper felt early on was the lack of solid data about the impacts from the disaster. This frustration prompted us to begin an environmental sampling project.

LEAN/LMRK technical advisor, award winning chemist Wilma Subra, put together the sampling protocols. We coordinated with world-class commercial laboratories who would process the samples. We prepared Julia the LMRK patrol boat and were ready to go.

HOW TO CLEAN UP AN OIL SPILL
THE MANUAL BP COULDN’T FIND

STEP ONE: Use an Oil Well Leak Solution

1. Go around and/or over the wellhead
2. One solution stabilizes pressure and ‘adheres’ to the ocean floor like a bandage over a wound while a chemical mixture is used to “clot” the oil
3. The other solution is a large ring that sinks to the ocean floor over the wellhead, is connected through strong oil resistant mesh walls to a second ring that floats at the surface – allowing the oil to be captured from this large “hose”

In response to this summer's Gulf oil disaster a Think Tank was brought together in New Orleans, LA by award winning filmmaker Josh Tickell and his wife and partner Rebecca Tickell. A group of many talented, intelligent, and interested individuals came together to pool their resources and knowledge to find solutions to the Gulf oil disaster. Having such diverse areas of expertise, life experiences, and viewpoints working together towards the same goal made the resultant solutions both well-informed and inventive; while also remaining acutely attuned to the sensitive issues surrounding the oil spill. The following document was developed from the Think Tank.

Marylee Orr, Executive Director of LEAN was recently interview by Jon Bowermaster on the status of gulf seafood and its safety.

The Louisiana Environmental Action Network released the following evaluation on November 26th 2010

Evaluation of the Results of Whole Blood Volatile Solvents Testing
By Wilma Subra and Marylee Orr
Louisiana Environmental Action Network - Baton Rouge, LA

The Louisiana Environmental Action Network released the following evaluation on November 26th 2010

Evaluation of the Results of Whole Blood Volatile Solvents Testing 
By Wilma Subra and Marylee Orr
Louisiana Environmental Action Network - Baton Rouge, LA

A whole blood sample was collected from a 47 year old male on November 8, 2010.  The blood sample was analyzed for Volatile Solvents by Method 0762 , by Metametrix Clinical Laboratory in Pensacola, Florida.

11/23/10 - http://www.LMRK.org continues thier samples project, this time out and around the area West of Venice, LA

Nature sightings included:
A pod of dolphins, blue herons, ibis, osprey and white pelicans, mullet, small fish, gnats.

Unatural Sightings included:
A leaking and abandonded natural gas well, more industry air pollution from flaring, invasive water hyacinth, dying marsh grass that looked to have been oiled.

A special thank you from some of the less fortunate families in the hard hit fishing communities to all those caring individuals that gave so generously at the first annual Angel of the Delta Festival.

The food donated was distributed on Tuesday November 23rd. For those that gave a monetary donation, those funds were used to purchase additional food and much needed personal care products.

If you would like to give, it is not too late. LEAN is still taking donations that will be distributed for Christmas. You can make a contribution online.

The LMRK crew, and Deputy Director of Waterkeeper Alliance Marc Yaggi, traveled from Venice, LA down the MS River through South Pass, East Bay, and Southwest Pass. LMRK continues tissue sampling to better understand the state of the health of the organisms, especially those typically fished and consumed in the Mississippi river basin post oil spill disaster. Our trip today included passing through what can only be considered and oil and gas graveyard consisting of long neglected wells and infrastructure. Along the way we saw BP Cleanup workers in on a beach in East Bay with birds in direct proximity to contaminated area (photos after the break).

Once again the Lower Mississippi RIVERKEEPER (Paul Orr) and his crew, Operations Coordinator - Michael Orr and Photographer - Jeffrey Dubinsky set out for another day of collecting seafood in the gulf. Today's haul included shrimp, blue crab, menhaden (small fish) and oysters. The samples will be sent off to a certified lab.

Report By: Wilma Subra

"Dead Bird Island" Testing Results
Report by: Wilma Subra

Results of sampling performed by the Lower Mississippi Riverkeeper in Terrebonne Bay on August 19, 2010
On August 19, 2010, in Terrebonne Bay south of Point-au-Chien, Modato Island was covered with vegetation, bare areas, and a large number of dead shore birds.  The area was designated by the Lower Mississippi River Keeper as "Dead Bird Island."  The area also contained a number of shore birds in distress, nests containing eggs and a seagull that died shortly after sampling was complete.  Samples were collected along the shore of the island, 10-12 inches deep, under the vegetation matted material washed in by the tide.  The soil/sediment sample was contaminated with 48.4 mg/kg of Petroleum Hydrocarbons and 10 Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (0.039 mg/kg).

The shore of the Gulf of Mexico east of Oyster Bayou, where the Atchafalaya Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico, contained visible oil on the vegetation along the shore line.  Soil in this location contained Carbon Disulfide, 378 mg/kg Hydrocarbons and six Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) (0.222 mg/kg). The oiled vegetation contained 2.3% Hydrocarbons and 31 PAHs (0.554 mg/kg) that  corresponded strongly to the PAHs in the Deepwater Horizon Crude Oil spill.  Samples of Blue Crab and Fiddler Crab contained 2,230 mg/kg hydrocarbons.

LEAN member and New Orleans photographer Jerry Moran revisited Raccoon Island on August 8, 2010 to find more of the same death and destruction that he found on his visit on July 18, 2010.

Of his July 18, 2010 trip to Raccoon Island Jerry wrote:

"death is everywhere and I mean everywhere, even though visible oil is much less an issue, which concerns me greatly. A lot of the birds that weren't dead, were obviously poisoned, almost acting drunk and dazed. Some were hardly walking, and some were alive, but lying where they will surely expire, some were actually fighting each other for food(surely contaminated).......It is really hard for me to believe that nothing can be done to curb what is no less than the extermination of our beloved state bird, along with thousands of other birds and animals. There are not many times where I have just stopped shooting and left....yesterday was one of those day's."

The Lower Mississippi RIVERKEEPER (Paul Orr) along wtih Chemist Wilma Subra and Michael Orr, operations Coordinator for LEAN/LMRK spent two days taking various soil and water samples in the area affected by the BP Oil Spill.

The question, 'where has all the oil gone?' has been answered in the media in recent days by scientists providing much speculation about how the oil may go away but little hard data about what is actually happening in the Gulf. We cannot let the future of the Gulf rest on speculation.

The danger of this conjecture is that people are already beginning to tune out and assume that everything is fine, even within the spill response.

Amid growing concern about the use of dispersants in the Gulf of Mexico, a group of scientists working for law firms suing BP says their testing indicates that the dispersants being used to break up the oil are making this spill even more toxic to marine life.

Dr. William Sawyer, a toxicologist, is part of a team of scientists hired by law firms - led by Smith Stag of New Orleans - that are representing Louisiana fishermen and environmentalists

EPA Abandons Rule Permitting Unregulated Hazardous Waste Burning

Environmental groups and communities cheer decision to enforce hazardous waste laws

June 8, 2010

Washington, DC -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today withdrew a dangerous Bush-era exemption that allowed polluters to store, transport, and burn hazardous waste without meeting crucial public health and environmental protection requirements. EPA's action means that more than 100,000 tons of hazardous waste will again be subject to federal hazardous waste protections. "This is a great victory for Americans and their lungs," said Earthjustice attorney James Pew. "Communities across the country, particularly those already burdened by toxic air, faced increases of hazardous air pollutants as a result of this dangerous rule. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson's withdrawal of this rule demonstrates a commitment to protecting public health that should have Americans breathing a little easier."

The so-called Emissions Comparable Fuels exclusion shunted hazardous wastes that can be burned as fuel outside the definition of "solid waste." This regulatory sleight-of-hand allowed facilities that store, transport, and burn these wastes to avoid the "cradle-to-grave" control requirements that Congress enacted to protect people from exposure to hazardous chemicals.

"We're pleased that EPA has prioritized public health and refused to bow to the demands of industrial polluters," said Marylee Orr, Executive Director for Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN). "Citizens of the Gulf Coast, who are currently contending with the worst man-made environmental disaster of our time, could use some good news. This decision means our air will be much cleaner."

Washington, DC -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today withdrew a dangerous Bush-era exemption that allowed polluters to store, transport, and burn hazardous waste without meeting crucial public health and environmental protection requirements. EPA's action means that more than 100,000 tons of hazardous waste will again be subject to federal hazardous waste protections. "This is a great victory for Americans and their lungs," said Earthjustice attorney James Pew. "Communities across the country, particularly those already burdened by toxic air, faced increases of hazardous air pollutants as a result of this dangerous rule. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson's withdrawal of this rule demonstrates a commitment to protecting public health that should have Americans breathing a little easier."

June 7, 2010 St. Bernard Council Chambers, Chalmette, Louisiana

The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a field hearing entitled "Local Impact of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill" in Chalmette, Louisiana. The hearing examined the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the communities and environment of the Gulf Coast region.

invited to speak was Wilma Subra, Chemist and McArthur 'Genius' Award Winner.

Her testimony included the following areas.

• Human Health and Environmental Impacts Associated with the Deepwater Horizon Crude Oil Spill Disaster
• Crude Oil Aerosols and Associated Health Impacts
• Local Fishermen Hired To Contain and Cleanup the Crude Oil Spill and Resulting Health Impacts
• Decisions Have Resulted in Detrimental Impacts to Human Health and the Environment
• Surface and Subsurface Application of Dispersants
• Work of Subra Company, LEAN and LMRK
• Health Survey Instrument

Read the full testimony here.

U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Mary Landry praised the cleanup effort and BP and the Coast Guard's success at "fighting the oil offshore."

BP's next move is to cut off the bent Riser Pipe and replace it with a "Lower Marine Riser Package Cap" (LMRP Cap).

Mr. Suttles stated that he believes that the LMRP Cap will capture "a great majority" of the flow but not all of it.

Adm. Landry stated that the ultimate solution remains the relief well. The relief well appears to be weeks away from completion.

Note: The relief well is not expected to be completed until sometime in August. At least 5 weeks from now.

On May 13, 2010 Lower Mississippi Riverkeeper conducted an on-the-water patrol of West Bay and Southwest Pass. Leaving from Venice we made our way to the south into West Bay and then cut over into Southwest Pass and then made our way out to the Gulf facing shore of Southwest Pass. NOAA forecasting had predicted possible oil impacts there. We covered over 55 miles and (I suppose fortunately) we encountered no oil. We did see very sporadically and haphazardly deployed deflection boom along the Gulf facing shore of Southwest Pass. It was in the surf-zone and could not possibly have done anything.

Press Conference Highlights April 30, 2010

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals will be opening shelters to provide for the special needs of people impacted by air emissions coming from the spilling oil.

Continuous Air Monitoring will be conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from the air monitoring stations at Kenner and Chalmette.(l-r) US Coast Guard District Commander

The EPA will be expediting the testing and results of collected environmental samples.

The oyster beds in areas 2-7 east of the Mississippi River in Plaquemine and St. Bernard parishes will be closed to harvest.

Lower Breton Sound was closed to harvesting at 6 am today, Upper Breton
Sound will be closed to harvesting at 6 PM today (April 30, 2010).

BP is the responsible party and will be covering the cost of the response and cleanup.

The president has ordered the administration to use every single resource available.

On April 29, 2010 Governor Jindal designated the spill to be of national significance.

There has been a substantial release of oil and hazardous materials.

Comments from EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson:

Air sampling began yesterday (April 29, 2010).

At the 6 existing permanent air sampling stations in the area there has been an increase in frequency of samples taken.

The data and results of the air sampling will be available on the EPA
web site http://www.epa.gov/bpspill.

Two mobile labs will be employed to monitor the air quality.

The oily odors experienced in the New Orleans area are due to the large oil sheen being dispersed into the air by the high winds and rough seas and forming aerosols of oil particles.

Water sampling began today (April 30, 2010).

Administrator Jackson had planned on staying two days but vowed to stay as long as needed.

Comments From BP Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles:

Three on-the-water control burns of oil have been conducted as of the conference.

This has been the largest oil spill response ever.

The sub sea application of dispersants will begin in 2 hours (time was 2:40 PM when this statement was made).

The relief well will begin to be drilled tomorrow (May 1, 2010).

A second drill ship will be in place tomorrow and will be used to deploy the subsurface application of dispersant.

There is a need to protect the coast, wetlands and the economy.

The quantity of oil being released has not changed.  Initially BP estimated 1,000 barrels per day. Based on aerial flights and satellite images the estimate was changed
to 5,000 barrels per day.  There was a change in estimate not in quantity of oil being released.  "This process is highly imprecise."

The weather has been a challenge. The skimming of surface oil was not being performed during the time of the press conference due to adverse weather conditions.

Comments from Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar:

One third of the domestic oil and gas production of the United States comes from the Gulf of Mexico area.

President Obama has requested, within 30 days, a detailed report of safety measures within the oil and gas production industry that should be addressed.

---

Support this vital work today!

Yes! I want to help make Louisiana safe for us and for future generations!

LEAN is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN) is a non-profit organization working to foster communication and cooperation among citizens and groups to address Louisiana's environmental problems.

The oil slick is inching closer and closer to the mouth of the Mississippi River and as of 1:30 p.m. today was 16 miles from the Pass A Loutre Wildlife Management Area which is at the extreme south eastern end of the Mississippi River Delta.