All Photos are from BP public photo files
Television coverage of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico documents its deadly effect on pelicans and other wildlife. However, according to Dan Youra, author of the BlowOutBlog, there is a greater, unseen, and potentially more deadly killer in the crude.
Youra says, ‘It is the oil in the air over the gulf that carries the greatest health risks for humans.’ According to Youra, ‘What you cannot see is more dangerous to humans than what you can see.’
Crude oil is composed of liquids, solids and gas. Youra analyzes Environmental Protection Agency air samples to track toxic gases in the air above Louisiana's coast.
EPA publishes readings for volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the air at various collection stations along the Gulf's coast. During the first week of May VOC readings averaged 3 parts per million, a level considered a relatively low risk for humans.
During the second week of May the EPA produced readings that averaged 7 parts per million, considered ‘possible health risks’ on a toxic gas scale used by the National Resources Defense Council.
On May 23rd the EPA readings registered a 14 parts per million for volatile organic compounds at its Venice, Louisiana station, a level on the NRDC scale of 'significant potential for health risks' for humans.
.jpg)
Volatile organic gases are referred to as VOC gases. Those include some of the most toxic and potentially most deadly of the many gases are make up crude oil as it enters the Gulf waters and the air above the coast. VOC gases include ethane, butane, pentane, benzene, toluene and xylene, which in low doses are known to cause lung problems, skin irritation and dizziness in humans. In high concentrations and prolonged exposure the gases have been shown to cause lose of consciousness and potentially lead to death.
Some of the gases in the crude oil boil at temperatures as low as 104 degrees. 5000 feet of water pressure on top of the crude oil releases the gases. According to Youra, ‘Temperature and pressure release gases. As the waters of the gulf warm up over the summer months, more toxic gases will enter the atmosphere to be breathed by humans.’
Oil on the water kills a pelican very quickly. Gas in the air is less dramatic. According to Youra, ‘The affects of toxic gases on humans is more gradual and long term. Breathing even low levels of toxic gases over a long period of time can cause harm, even death, to humans.’
Toxic gases from crude oil have the potential to be blown by the wind to population centers away from the Gulf waters. EPA readings of toxic VOC gases show levels of 'possible health risks' in Chalmette, Louisiana as near as seven miles from downtown New Orleans.
When asked how the residents of Huntsville, Alabama could be impacted by Gulf coast contaminants an analogy to Hurricane Katrina unfolded. As Katrina came north through Birmingham, it was downgraded with wind gusts of 50-60mph. The wind envelope carried rubble from its initial impact and deposited waste along the way.
Oil contaminants, whether in liquid, gaseous or solid form would act the same way as storm rubble by latching on to everything in the path of chemical saturated winds from any form of a storm, whether it be a hurricane, tornado or a thunderstorm with an origin in the Gulf region.
BlowOutBlog on the internet analyzes EPA air sample data and tracks toxic air over gulf coast. Blogger Dan Youra was trained as a statistician in graduate studies at Ohio State University's Behavioral Sciences Laboratory and University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research.
Dan Youra, author of the BlowOutBlog, is editor of an industrial distiller's manual for Dona Carolina Distillers of San Antonio, Texas. Youra discusses toxic gases from the BP oil spill in an interview with Mike Siegel on Lars Larson National Radio Show.
Click on this link to reach Dan Youra's website
Youra helps educate people about the toxic effects of gases on his blog, a website BlowOutHelp and on the mobile web at Youra.mobi. He helps raise money for wildlife rescue by selling oil art on DeepWaterSea and can be reached by telephone at (360) 379-8800.
Look for Hank Richards as a guest on 'Standing Up for America' with Jim Neidner's Internet Radio Broadcast on Sunday, June 20th at 3:00p.m. Colorado time from the Gulf Coast in Mississippi and get a first hand report on progress being made.
Contact Hank Richards by email at editor@pronlinenews.com or call him at (256) 417-6084 and follow him on Facebook or Twitter.
Hank is a prostate cancer survivor and a nationwide public speaker on the issue. If you want to schedule him for your next speaking venue, just call the number listed above.
To receive this column on a regular basis, click this ‘Subscribe’ link.
** background data verified by Capital Earnings & Research, a Huntsville, AL company
Comments
Yor're right on top of it Hank. Looks like a great article again.
Just sub'd to your column and like what I see
It is crazy how TV and big newspapers spend so much time covering oil slicked birds and won't cover the blowout's gases in the air, which threaten potentially millions of people. Hank, you are the man, getting the word out.
Very informative. Read this BEFORE I head the news on any TV show. Thought I'd return and comment. GREAT STORY. Almost seems like you had the exclusive!! Thanks.
very good informative article. all this makes one wonder just why the blowout preventer didn't work in this case and...well...prevent the blowout.
Fixing typo: Very informative. Read this BEFORE I heard the news on any TV show. Thought I'd return and comment. GREAT STORY. Almost seems like you, Hank, had the exclusive!! Thanks.
Thanks for your great articles Hank. Not only are the poor critters doomed from drowning in oil, now they're doomed by breathing in toxic gas, as are humans along the gulf. Who knows what types of cancers/diseases will afflict folks in that area and for miles inland.
Alwyas on the money keep going I love to read all you write.
You always keep us informed Hank. Shared with many others, thanks so much!
Today just discovered this website. Thanks for the information. Maybe I haven't spent enough time here yet, but here are some of my questions.
1) New Mexico and Colorado have been experiencing RECORD highs 90 degrees and 100 degrees this past week which they typically do not reach until early July. Is this (or could it be) related to the oil rig blow out mess in the Gulf? (Moisture for these states often enters up from Texas area).
Have wondered about the 'hot water' created by the earth crack(s) from this nightmare created and kept going by pure greed. Since the Gulf water and the air above it must have significant rises in temperatures, am wondering if this could be finally impacting the weather in the westward states?
2) How far westward can the toxic air particulates float away from the Gulf crime scene? Will communities in Colorado be negatively impacted? Will the concentrations be dispersed enough by the time it heads west, that the impact will be insignifican
Great article hank! It will take years to clean up the mess in the Gulf.
That scares the crap out of me. It can actually happen because I'm a chemist at a local college and understand molecular structure.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!