Project Gulf Impact With Crude Data In The Gulf Region
Online, August 20, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Despite reports that Gulf Coast waters are now safe for commercial fishing and recreational use, independent chemical testing of water samples collected has revealed the existence of increased levels of heavy metals, like hydrocarbons and chloride, in Gulf Coast waters.
A study obtained by Project Gulf Impact revealed that hydrocarbons are present at over 200 parts per million (p.p.m.) on beaches throughout the Gulf region, with higher concentrations being found in the marshes of Louisiana and Mississippi. The continued presence of oil and grease in the surf water reaches levels greater than 50 p.p.m.
Increased levels of chloride have also been found in water samples. While Environmental Protection Agency safe levels are set at 250 p.p.m., chemical tests are revealing levels of 650 p.p.m. While some argue these levels do not pose an immediate threat, increased exposure can lead to symptoms such as weakness, confusion and, in extreme cases, coma.
Over the weekend, a family vacationing in Panama City Beach, Florida, upon assurances the water was safe, swam in the water. The next day, the entire family broke out in rashes, displayed below.
Several other individuals who had recently visited the Gulf have also reported breaking out in lesions and rashes through Project Gulf Impact's Health Information Line.
Mainstream media accounts are failing to mention the accumulative nature of exposure to the types of heavy metals found in rainwater samples. While levels currently found are within the Environmental Protection Agency's safe limits, repeated exposure to these levels of toxicity through the skin and inhalation of steam following a rainstorm could build up these levels rather quickly in the human body. Area environmental activists and others are left wondering if the presence of such heavy metals in waters throughout the region is in violation of the federal Clean Water Act.
As Project Gulf Impact reported several weeks ago, residents have begun to show up at clinics and hospitals with mysterious scabs and pustules covering their extremities, as reported from residents to non-profit relief organizations in the Gulf.
Project Gulf Impact plans to report updates from further studies and independent tests in the coming week. Those at the greatest risk include young children, the elderly and immune-suppressed individuals.
For more information, follow Project Gulf Impact on Twitter @PrjGulfImpact or visit http://www.projectgulfimpact.org.
About the Project Gulf Impact Health Information Line
Gulf residents can leave messages relevant to reporting a health situation in the Gulf and people from around the world are invited to give offers of medical aid, provide essential information or be involved in the health and wellness efforts surround the Gulf crisis. Callers are not required to leave any personally identifiable information and can remain anonymous.
The Health Information Line is available at (504) 814-0283. Emails are also welcome at projectgulfimpact@gmail.com.