Local TV reports on 173 ppm in Sarasota-area sand — Official says

[Generic Other]

Run time: 03:00 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXY__RftRJY   Posted on YouTube: September 25, 2010 By YouTube Member: OilFlorida Views on YouTube: 69   Posted on DU: September 25, 2010 By DU Member: Generic Other Views on DU: 1013

 
Citizen's group say tests found oil on Siesta Key, WWSB ABC 7, September 25, 2010:

Excerpts ne group of citizens wanted to test the waters and beaches themselves, sending samples to a lab. The results just came back, and they say it shows toxic levels of oil found in the sand on Siesta Key. St. Petersburg medical assistant Allison Hendricks' job is to help people. And when some of her patients, friends...even herself started to feel strange symptoms... "Nausea all the time, headaches all the time that they didn't have before, they're real tired... So I started doing my own sampling." ... Lab results found 173 parts per million of total petroleum hydrocarbons in the sand. "Those are not normal levels for any beach...the beaches should have been closed months ago," says Hendricks. "That's a pretty low amount." Sarasota County Environmental Health Director Charles Henry says petroleum products are part of our everyday world... The Sarasota County Health Department has been taking samples of their own, and so far their tests have shown no sign of oil... They stress that if you do see something on the beach that you believe to be oil contact the state watch office.

[Generic Other]

1. Anyone know what is considered a toxic level of ppm of oil?

... crude oil is less acutely poisonous than chemical dispersants. But here's the really interesting finding in that terrific little study. Adding a dispersant - specifically Corexit 9500 - made the oil more poisonous. A lot more poisonous.

http://scienceblogs.com/speakeasyscience/2010/05/a_lethal_concentration.php

Oil in the environment is toxic at 11 PPM (parts per million). Corexit 9500 is toxic at only 2.61 PPM. But Corexit 9500 has another precarious characteristic; it’s reaction to warm water.

http://www.examiner.com/political-spin-in-national/north-america-faces-years-of-toxic-oil-rain-from-bp-oil-spill-chemical-dispersants

[Generic Other]

2. Pretty toxic to fish!

EPA's latest toxicological analysis of crude oil from the Macondo prospect well showed it had an extraordinarily high toxicity, namely, 2.7 ppm was lethal to 50% of the test fish (Menidia) within 96 hours of exposure.

"Do we want our children playing in this sand?" the group asks.

"Or swimming in the water?"

http://www.examiner.com/human-rights-in-national/censored-gulf-news-sarasota-beach-poisoned-tests-positive-video

and the swans!!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x508169

[Generic Other]

3. Sarasota County Environmental Health Director seems unworried

Suncoast emergency management officials have said from the beginning of the oil spill that area beaches are clean and safe. But one group of citizens wanted to test the waters and beaches themselves, sending samples to a lab. The results just came back, and they say it shows toxic levels of oil found in the sand on Siesta Key.

St. Petersburg medical assistant Allison Hendricks' job is to help people. And when some of her patients, friends...even herself started to feel strange symptoms, she thought it could be coming from the water. "Nausea all the time, headaches all the time that they didn't have before, they're real tired...and I just thought it was necessary to take measures into my own hands. So I started doing my own sampling."

She became part of testingthewater.org, a site where concerned citizens are conducting their own tests all along the gulf coast. Last week Allison was out on Siesta Key taking samples when she says she spotted oil. "As soon as I walked out onto the actual beach I started crying…I saw all of what it is. And people would not know what it looks like unless you've done your research on what dispersed oil looks like."

Lab results found 173 parts per million of total petroleum hydrocarbons in the sand. "Those are not normal levels for any beach...the beaches should have been closed months ago," says Hendricks.

"That's a pretty low amount." Sarasota County Environmental Health Director Charles Henry says petroleum products are part of our everyday world, and finding some on the beach is no surprise.

http://www.mysuncoast.com/Global/story.asp?S=13215804

[Generic Other]

4. citizens are testing their own water

http://www.testingthewater.org/external-links

[Sancho]

5. We've noticed some changes turtles and dolphins...

not as many, closer to shore...but that is just anecdotal from sailing here for 20 years. At any rate, I've had congestion after sailing. I figured it was hay fever. Maybe not. If there is oil and dispersants in the water, who knows? It is very scary. We've all been using sun screen for years, go the the doc for colonoscopies, and now we'll be killed by airplanes bombing us with chemical weapons!

If anyone knew how PO'd I am right now - well - I'm ready to protest.

I'm going to by a LEAF (Nissan with an electric motor), put up solar panels, and stay out of Tampa Bay.

[L0oniX]

6. I've been out on my 30' Scampi a lot in the past 2 weeks and I don't see any dolphins...

which is unusual for me. I sail out of St. Pete marina.

[Sancho]

7. We are seeing the same things...

I went under the Skyway last week. No turtles or dolphins.

[Generic Other]

9. That is so sad

I hope they are safe somewhere avoiding the toxins and not just dead.

[Generic Other]

8. Just when you think you were spared the worst

It is not in the interests of local government to admit the extent of the problems. Even the feds seem to be downplaying concerns. That's why I believe citizens' firsthand reports before I believe BP or anyone associated with them.

Thanks for sharing.

[webDude]

10. Why did the reporter re-emphasize that it was just a "...small level..." that...

...came back from the state report? The state and the nurse, both sides, had just stated their position, and the reporter emphasized the state position. Why did she not say something like "heck, I would not go down there till it was safe by all sides."?

Whores, most of them, whores.

[voteearlyvoteoften]

11. knr