Air tests from the Louisiana coast reveal human health threats from the oil disaster

[flamingdem]

http://www.southernstudies.org/2010/05/air-tests-from-the-louisiana-coast-reveal-human-health-threats-from-the-oil-disaster.html

* Don't know anything about who runs this blog btw

The media coverage of the BP oil disaster to date has focused largely on the threats to wildlife, but the latest evaluation of air monitoring data shows a serious threat to human health from airborne chemicals emitted by the ongoing deepwater gusher.

Today the Louisiana Environmental Action Network released its analysis of air monitoring test results by the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA's air testing data comes from Venice, a coastal community 75 miles south of New Orleans in Louisiana's Plaquemines Parish.

The findings show that levels of airborne chemicals have far exceeded state standards and what's considered safe for human exposure.

For instance, hydrogen sulfide has been detected at concentrations more than 100 times greater than the level known to cause physical reactions in people. Among the health effects of hydrogen sulfide exposure are eye and respiratory irritation as well as nausea, dizziness, confusion and headache.

The concentration threshold for people to experience physical symptoms from hydrogen sulfide is about 5 to 10 parts per billion. But as recently as last Thursday, the EPA measured levels at 1,000 ppb. The highest levels of airborne hydrogen sulfide measured so far were on May 3, at 1,192 ppb.

Testing data also shows levels of volatile organic chemicals that far exceed Louisiana's own ambient air standards. VOCs cause acute physical health symptoms including eye, skin and respiratory irritation as well as headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea and confusion.

[damntexdem]

1. And that's just the start ...

of the widespread threats to human health -- and to that of the world environment.

[flamingdem]

2. I wonder if BP will pay for an evacuation and housing for thousands or? nt

[Ian David]

3. That's just more Libtard lies! Tea Party Rally on the beach in the oil!

Carbon is LIFE!

[flamingdem]

5. I put oil on my breakfast cereal! High Octane for my busy day! nt

[Karenina]

4. Two words...

FOOD. CHAIN.

[flamingdem]

6. Good. Point. It might be unwise to live in that area for a few decades

or consume anything grown there... isn't that about 42% of our seafood? Oops.

[Karenina]

9. We also have a longstanding issue of

The Great Pacific Garbage Dump. I haven't eaten canned tuna since one evening 5 years ago when I noticed something strange. As I mixed the mayo in, little strands began to appear. Tweezers and a magnifying glass were my aids in discovering PLASTIC FIBERS all through the meat. A lighter applied to the strands confirmed my unscientific analysis. If it LOOKS and QUACKS like a duck... Our food chain is totally contaminated. I don't know what it will take for people to WAKE UP.

[flamingdem]

10. Gak! Is Wild Alaska Salmon in cans okay?

Don't know what to eat these days..

[Karenina]

11. I know! I was so freaked I lost several kilos not trusting anything

except beer regulated by Reinheitsgebot. ;-) :toast:

[KamaAina]

7. It's the Institute for Southern Studies

a widely respected liberal think tank focusing on the South and based in Durham, NC (home of Duke). I'll be sure to post a link to it in our next South-bashing thread, due in about fifteen minutes. :eyes:

[flamingdem]

8. Thanks, I'll check them out some more nt