I was a kid in South Texas when the oil from the Ixtoc I oil spill in 1979 hit Texas beaches. I still remember the tar balls on the beach and that we had to go to tar cleanup stations to clean off our feet with some solvent before we went home. Was that safe to be doing? Who knows. That was well before the internet and the twenty-four hour news cycle that now helps keep us informed about everything.
Seeing a mother and her child on a Florida beach cleaning up tar balls on the news yesterday had me wondering if people really understand the effects that the oil spill might have on their kids, even now.
The CDC recommends that people avoid close contact with the oil spill and the fumes from burning oil, especially if you or your child have asthma or another lung disease. They also advise that people should:
- stay indoors to limit your exposure to the Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs, which causes the smell from the oil spill, if the smell is bothering you or your kids. You can also close windows and doors and turn on your central air conditioner or set your window air conditioner to a recirculation mode to reuse indoor air, and avoid outdoor physical activities, especially when you smell the oil spill from the shore.
- monitor air quality and limit your exposure to smoke from burning oil
- follow all warnings and guidelines concerning fishing, boating, and swimming in coastal waters
- avoid touching any of the oil and tar balls you find on the shore and quickly wash off any oil that does get on your bare skin
Keep in mind that the CDC states that 'the level of vapors in the air will be below the level that can hurt you,' although 'some people may experience nausea, vomiting, or headaches.' Still, if your child develops any symptoms after contact with oil or oil fumes, contact your pediatrician.
Related:
CDC - 2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
Tarballs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Oil and Chemical Spills
Helping Kids Cope with Tragedies
Chemicals in your Child's Environment
