e Health Tips

The oil drift in the Gulf of Mexico caused an alarm to the state and its people, specially the federal authorities. It was unexpected and now they are trying to find a way to fix this immense problem. The threats have spread from sea plants and sea animal which are the state’s natural resources, up to water supply and sickness like runny nose, headache and cancer. The Louisiana state’s health director Dr. Jimmy Guidry was alarmed for they don’t know how long it’ll take to fix the oil spill yet they try their best.

Every day the spill reaches up to 200,000 gallons. On April 20 there was an explosion at the oil rig that killed 11 people. Changes of direction and wind speed can cause the oil spill to spread in other areas. Last week, it reaches Southern Louisiana causing numerous complaints from state legislators in New Orleans, 130 miles apart the oil spill, and Louisiana’s DOH hospital secretary, Alan Levine.

Alan Levine describes that the air from the oil spill causes nausea and burning eyes when absorbed. Robert Campo, Shell Beach marina operator and fisherman caught headache from that smell while collecting sea oysters, 20 miles apart from the place.

Now, the US Environmental Protection Agency is securing the area. They are tracking the ozone and soot that causes respiratory problems mostly to individuals with asthma. The Coast Guard tried to burn off oil from the waters – it produced sooty and acrid smokes.

Dallas EPA Spokesman, Dave Dallas relates that they aren’t definite what other massive effects oil spill could do and where it’ll go.
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston professor, Jonathan Ward relates that speed and wind direction are major factors that could spread fumes everywhere, although the leak is 50 miles away from shore.
People at Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana are prohibited to go outdoors – to keep away from getting headache and nausea. Furthermore, they were informed to avoid eating seafood and advised to drink pure water. New Orleans gets their supplies at Mississippi River. Ships with oil-coated hulls are cleaned down before entering the river, Guidry informs. Municipal Water Systems were checked for possible oil drift. It’s all about treatment before outbreak, Guidry also relates.

This week, they held sample testing for seafood plants. They established a no-fishing zone at Mississippi River to the Florida Panhandle to avoid outbreak. Nevertheless, Louisiana Health Officials informed that shrimp and fish are sage to eat. “Suppose there are contaminations then they’d stop releasing seafood”, Levine.

Gina Solomon, University of California-San Francisco medical school and senior scientist with Natural Resources Defense Council says that eating chemically filled seafood can cause cancer.

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with epidemiologists are discovering what oil spill can do to our health. One thing is direct contact from the oil spill that clean-up volunteers and agents may get.
Solomon advises people along the affected area to wear protective gears such as gloves and heavy duty clothes to keep away from skin rashes and use respirator, especially the workers fixing the oil spill.

Tags: BP, British Petrolium, Oil Spill