Tropical Storm Isaac in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, Possible Oil Contamination
Tropical Storm Issac in the Gulf of Mexico
Alert Issued to Coastal Residents of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the panhandle of FloridaAugust 27, 2012
As Tropical Storm Issac moves toward the coastal areas of the northern Gulf of Mexico, citizens along the coastal areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the pan handle of Florida should be on alert.
As a result of the BP Crude Oil spill that occurred on April 20, 2010, large quantities of crude oil remain sub surface in the northern Gulf of Mexico. During minor storm events, substantial quantities of crude oil in the form of tar balls, mats and strings have washed onshore with the weather fronts. Associated with Hurricane Issac, there is the potential for very large quantities of BP crude oil to wash on shore in the coastal areas, beaches, wetlands, and marshes in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the panhandle of Florida.
The BP Crude Oil contains residual levels of toxic Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons. Pathways of exposure to humans consist of absorption through skin contact, ingestion and inhalation of the toxic chemicals.
ALERT: Do not come in contact with the crude oil that may wash on shore.
Do not touch or break open the material that appears to be BP Crude Oil.
Fishermen harvesting seafood in the coastal bays and offshore areas should be aware to avoid contact with residual oil that may contaminate their seafood catches, nets, gear and traps.
The potential exists for hydrocarbon material from sources other than the BP spill, such as leaking wells, storage tanks, and pipelines, to contaminate the environment as a result of Hurricane Issac. Contact with these materials must also be avoided.
Inventory of Oily Residues in the Coastal Areas
The Gulf Coast Fund–a regional fund and network founded in 2005 and active throughout the entire impacted area–and its partners are seeking to inventory the extent of BP Crude and other hydrocarbon contamination along the coastal areas as a result of Hurricane Issac. Information on the location of residual material should be provided to the Gulf Coast Fund at joshua [at] gulfcoastfund [dot] org or 504-522-2423.
Please provide as much information as possible;
-description of location and direction on getting to the location
-description of deposited material
-photos if possible
-contact information for person submitting location
Gulf Coast Fund grantee Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN) will be following up and assessing the locations where the material was observed and documenting the situation.
Remember do not come in contact with the BP Crude or hydrocarbon material in the environment.
For more information, please contact:
Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN)
(225) 588-5059
contact [at] leanweb [dot] org
or
Gulf Coast Fund
