Signs Warn Escambia Swimmers To Stay Out Of Water

June 9, 2010

The Escambia County Health Department has issued a health advisory for the beaches of Perdido Key following the report of numerous tarballs washing ashore from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

The advisory includes an area extending from the Florida-Alabama line to the entrance of the Perdido Unit, Gulf Islands National Seashore. The health department issued the  following tips for avoiding negative health impacts from an oiled shoreline:

  • Avoid entering areas where oil can be seen (no wading, swimming or entering the water).
  • Avoid direct skin contact with oil, oil-contaminated water and sediments.
  • Avoid contact with dead or dying fish or other aquatic life.
  • Do not swim or ski in areas affected by the oil spill, and if traveling through the area by boat take precautions when hoisting the boat anchor. If oil makes contact with the skin, wash it off with grease-cutting liquid dishwashing detergent and water.
  • Do not fish in oil spill-affected waters.
  • Do not harvest or eat dead fish, fish with oily residue, or fish that have a petroleum odor.
  • Avoid boating through oil slicks or sheens.
  • Young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, and individuals with underlying respiratory conditions should avoid the area.
  • Prevent pets from entering oil-contaminated areas.
  • Those near Florida’s Gulf Coast may detect an odor because of the oil spill. Some people are more sensitive to these odors and may experience nasal irritation and feelings of nausea. In combination with seasonal allergies, such as sensitivity to pollen, or pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, some people may experience more severe symptoms.
  • Individuals experiencing respiratory symptoms that are aggravated by the odors from the oil spill should consider:
    • If symptoms do not improve, contact a primary care physician or other health care professional for medical advice
    • Individuals who have pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma or other respiratory illnesses should contact their physician if feeling symptomatic.
    • Staying indoors in air-conditioning and avoiding strenuous outdoor activity.

The health department is posting signs at the affected area. Residents can participate in activities that are above the high tide line.  If they experience respiratory problems, they should leave the area and contact a physician, as they deem necessary.

Pictured: The signs being posted around Perdido Key by the Escambia County Health Department, click to enlarge.

Comments

4 Responses to “Signs Warn Escambia Swimmers To Stay Out Of Water”

  1. =) on June 10th, 2010 8:51 pm

    Doesn’t much matter where it goes now, its already hit home.

  2. David Huie Green on June 10th, 2010 10:26 am

    REGARDING:
    “I can only surmise that BP’s huge advertizing budget, which the news networks depend on for income, gives BP quite a bit of pull in censoring how much we are being told. ”

    Whereas I figure few care about the Dry Tortugas and are glad to get it out of our back yard.

    David hoping it goes to China

  3. Wendy on June 10th, 2010 8:30 am

    The sheen is already approaching the Dry Tortugas and Key West. The oil has been in the gulf loop current for quite a while now, but the major news networks are not reporting on it. I can only surmise that BP’s huge advertizing budget, which the news networks depend on for income, gives BP quite a bit of pull in censoring how much we are being told. True investigative reporting is nearly gone – overtaken by greed.

  4. J.R. Ewing on June 10th, 2010 12:43 am

    I wonder how long before such signs are posted down towards Panama City, on to the Big Bend area..and right on down to the Keys?

    BP is so full of crap it’s pathetic at this point. Its clear to us all now that BP was basically deep sea drilling with the notion that such an incident was so unlikely that preperations and planning wasnt even a consideration.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News