The Nuclear Option: It may happen now. Continue reading... Situation Update No. 23 On 2010-07-02 at 13:05:43 [UTC] Event: Enviroment Pollution Location: USA MultiStates States of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida Situation: Some scientists are saying the Gulf oil spill is contaminating the air with releases of Hydrogen Sulfide, Benzene, Methylene Chloride, 2-Butoxyethanol and other toxic gases known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). At least a hundred oil spill workers along the Gulf Coast have reported sickness related possibly to the oil; a few have been hospitalized. Short-term symptoms are generic, similar to flu-like illness. Long term damage is of more concern. Major reporting of air-born illness from the oil spill has been limited. Because there may be no direct proof connecting oil with an illness, the problem can be under-reported or ignored. While everyone is looking under the sea and on the shore, the air itself might be another, more serious area of concern. The burning of oil at sea results in plumes of smoke that can be blown inland. The raw oil has been appearing on beaches along the coast, leaving behind large swathes that are cleaned by workers in protective suits but not protective face gear. The public are still allowed to visit most contaminated beaches, and warning reports are being issued similar to swimming safety alerts. There are red, yellow and green flag days, depending on whether more oil has washed ashore. Many local news agencies may tread lightly over the air quality aspect of the spill, because there has been no major declaration concerning the air, and some experts claim it's safe to breath. Local businesses, especially those right on the beach would be more inclined to hope there is nothing to reports of contaminated air, or file it under a similar category as greenhouse gases. Illness from breathing air contaminated by oil or burning oil present symptoms similar to the flu or even food poisoning. Since not everyone presents symptoms, it's easy to file it under S for something else. Meanwhile, there is no denying that more oil is washing up on Gulf beaches. A large underwater sheet of oil was confirmed yesterday on a seabed off Alabama. Dead shrimp and other sea life were lifted up from the mush in large nets. Faced with non-stop release of millions of gallons of oil from the ruptured well and no possible fix until mid-August, (assuming no more storms enter the Gulf this year and stall efforts) breezes off the Gulf of Mexico can, like waves, blow in trillions of oil-contaminated particles. It is unclear how a major declaration that air is unsafe to breath, would be implemented. Meanwhile tens of thousands of people are expected to party with Jimmy Buffett on the beach at Gulf Shores on July 11, 2010. There is an attitude of saying no to the oil spill, a we're not going to let a little old oil spill ruin our summer. It might be years for results from studies on air quality along the Gulf Coast to be published, along with findings on illness and cancer rates. Short of people dropping like flies on the beach, periodic reports from "rogue, underground scientists" will likely have little effect on a jubilant, beach-loving public. Back to Nuclear Option article on viewzone Comments: