FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Donald Williamson, M.D.
ADPH
(334) 206-5200
Major Chris Blankenship
DCNR
(251) 709-5889
Scott Hughes
ADEM
(334) 271-7955
The Alabama Department of Public Health and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, in consultation with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, have expanded advisories due to the increased presence of oil in coastal areas.
In addition to the oil previously identified at Dauphin Island, oil has now been identified at Fort Morgan and Gulf Shores. Further spread of oil toward Orange Beach is likely. Because of the presence of visible oil and the likely wider impact of oil eastward, the Alabama Department of Public Health advises individuals not to swim in Alabama gulf waters or in bay waters immediately adjacent to Fort Morgan.
Dr. Donald Williamson, state health officer, said, "These are precautionary measures to protect the public's health. We will continue to monitor the situation and reassess the need for further advisories if the situation changes."
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, as a precautionary step, is closing the following Alabama waters to fishing at 6 p.m., June 4, 2010: All waters in the Gulf of Mexico including Pelican Bay and the waters of Mobile Bay east of the Mobile Ship Channel and south of a line from Mobile Ship Channel Marker Number 22 to Little Point Clear on the north side of Fort Morgan Peninsula. Maps of the state and federal waters closed to fishing can be found at www.outdooralabama.com.
Signs will be posted at the affected beaches. Residents should take the following additional precautions.
Protective Measures
- Avoid direct skin contact with the oil.
- If you get oil or tar balls on your skin, wash with soap and water.
- Launder clothing as usual if you get oil on it.
- There is no need to use harsh detergents, solvents or other chemicals to wash oil from skin or clothing, and it is discouraged.
Food Advisories
- If a fish smells or tastes like oil, do not eat it.
- Wash hands before eating.
Odor
Some people also may be sensitive to any change in air quality, which could cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or headaches. If you have these symptoms, authorities recommend you consider staying indoors, ventilating your home with air conditioning, and avoiding strenuous outdoor activity. If these symptoms do not improve, you should then consider contacting your primary care physician or other health care provider for medical advice. If you have pre-existing medical conditions, such as asthma or other respiratory illness, you should consider communicating with your physician if you feel symptomatic.
Updated information will be available at www.adph.org.
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6/4/10