Residents along the Gulf coast from the Florida panhandle to the Tampa Bay area are at risk for health threats from the BP oil spill. Large amounts of toxic methane gas are being released, along with the continuing flow of oil.
The EPA has established a monitoring stations to determine air quality throughout the Gulf coast region. According to reports, “The levels of hydrogen sulfide EPA is reporting in some areas could cause short-term symptoms in sensitive people and could potentially pose a long-term risk if the elevated levels continue. “
In an effort to keep leaking oil from the Deepwater Horizon away from land, the federal government has authorized BP to burn millions of gallons of surface oil, which further degrades air quality. Burning large amounts of oil creates toxic gas air pollution in the form of sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and other toxins.
The EPA has issued a press release for Florida residents called a 'Triiger Response Plan. The three phase plan includes monitoring, surveying and responding.
For information about the response effort, visit www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com.
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