The Containment Strategy Hasn't Worked -- Updates and Air Monitoring Analysis

There aren't any graphics in this post since the NOAA site is not responding.  But there is valuable information, all of it based on the excellent communications gathered by Amber Valentin of the Gulf Coast Fund:

Fisherfolk are among the front line defenders of the fragile ecosystems of the Gulf Coast.  Twice BP has attempted to cast responsibility for safety oversight onto the shoulders of those who have stepped forward to clean up the mess that BP has made.  First, Alabama fisherpeople went to court seeking and successfully receiving an order that stop BP from forcing egregious indemnification agreements onto volunteers.  Now the Louisiana courts have issued an amendment order to these so-called "charter agreements."

Federal officials from the EPA will be making the rounds at community meetings in Mississippi on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  They will be calling on officials from other government agencies (Homeland Security, NOAA, Coast Guard) to join them.

Louisiana Environmental Action Network has posted Wilma Subra's analysis of EPA air monitoring results:

Evaluation of EPA Air Monitoring Results from Venice, LA for the period of April 28, 2010 - May 7, 2010

by Wilma Subra

Hydrogen Sulfide

Odor Threshold for Hydrogen Sulfide: 0.5 ppb
Physical Reaction Symptoms: 5 to 10 ppb

Acute Physical Health Symptoms:

Irritates eyes

Irritates nose, throat and lungs

Nausea, dizziness, confusion, headache

Venice Hydrogen Sulfide Air Monitoring Results for the period of April 28, 2010 - May 7, 2010
Date:	Hydrogen Sulfide (parts per billion):
April 28	None Detected
April 29	No Data
April 30	No Data
May 1	No Data
May 2	30 ppb
May 3	1,192 ppb
May 4	46 ppb
May 5	1,010 ppb
May 6	1,000 ppb
May 7	280 ppb

The results of the Hydrogen Sulfide air monitoring in Venice indicates that the concentration from May 2 through May 7 exceeded the odor threshold and Physical Health Symptom concentrations. (emphasis mine) The Hydrogen Sulfide concentrations on May 3, 5 & 6 exceeded the Physical Reaction Symptoms concentrations by a factor of 100 to 120 times (emphasis mine). The Physical Reaction Symptoms have been reported by individuals living and visiting in Venice.

Volatile Organic Chemicals

Louisiana Ambient Air Standards for Volatile Organic Chemicals:

The Louisiana Ambient Air Standards for the most toxic Volatile Organic Chemicals range from 0.25 ppb to 3.76 ppb Annual Average.

• 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane 0.25 ppb
• Benzene 3.76 ppb

The Ambient Air Standards for the remaining Volatile Organic Chemicals range from 5.49 to 61.25 ppb Annual Average.

• 1 and 2-nitropropane 5.49 ppb
• Methylene Chloride 61.25 ppb

Acute Physical Health Symptoms:

Irritation of eyes, skin, skin rashes

Irritate nose, throat and lungs

Headaches

Dizziness, light headed

Weakness

Nausea

Confusion

Venice Volatile Organic Chemicals Air Monitoring Results for the period of April 28, 2010 - May 7, 2010
Date:	Volatile Organic Chemicals (parts per billion):
April 28	None Detected
April 29	None Detected
April 30	3,084 ppb
May 1	923 ppb
May 2	3,416 ppb
May 3	780 ppb
May 4	1,243 ppb
May 5	37 ppb
May 6	483 ppb
May 7	None Detected

The results of the Volatile Organic Chemicals air monitoring indicates that the concentrations from April 30 through May 6 may have exceeded the Louisiana Ambient Air Standards for specific species of Volatile Organic Chemicals. The Volatile Organic Chemical concentrations on April 30 and May 2 may have exceeded the highest concentration of Annual Average Standard by as much 50 times (emphasis mine. Specific chemicals that make up the total Volatile Organic Chemical concentrations are needed to further evaluate the results. This information has been requested from the Environmental Protection Agency. The Acute Physical Symptoms associated with the Volatile Organic Chemicals have been reported by individuals living and visiting in Venice.

60,000 Barrels

Just as Dr. Wilma Subra had predicted, the estimates of oil flow from the Gulf catastrophe have proved to be wildly unpredictable.  BP suggested earlier today that 60,000 barrels are flowing right now and warned Congress that as many as 2 million gallons (100,000 barrels) could flow into the Gulf of Mexico if  they aren't able to cap the broken well.

Local folks (100 regional activists, fisherfolk, funders and concerned citizens), through the leadership of Derrick Evans of Turkey Creek Community Initiative (MS) and the Gulf Coast Fund and Amber Valentine of the Fund, are strategizing to monitor effects of the oil spill, organize the most effective local responses possible and to advise everyone of the health effects of the spill on humans and the ocean.

Part of this monitoring includes holding BP to the legal agreements that gained them access to the oil drilling leases they now possess.  These agreements include how they will manage local relationships when an emergency occurs, how compensation for losses will be handled and environmental rules they must follow.  On May 2 an Alabama court ordered BP to withdraw volunteer charter agreements that, among other things, required volunteer fisherfolk to indemnify BP against any mishap that might happen while people are volunteering.  You can view the charter agreement and other legal filings here.

Oil Spill Trajectory through Friday morning.

Trajectory Forecast for The Oil Disaster in the Gulf

I am receiving a great deal of information through my various contacts in the Gulf Region.  I promise to process it and pass it along to you as quickly as I can.  I am on a call now with Gulf Coast Fund groups discussing response to the active and looming catastrophe in the Gulf.

For the moment, here is a map from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showing a forecasted trajectory:

This from the chemist and activist Wilma Subra:

Latest confirmed information -- originally after the rig toppled over the estimate was 1000 barrels a day.  Then the estimate went up to 5000 barrels a day.  Nothing changed but the method of estimation.  Estimating by overflight and satellite. British Petroleum has stated that these projections are totally imprecise.  Based on information today the oil has come on land, marshy land at the very toe of Louisiana and the Chandelier Islands.  The oil booms are working well in some places and not so well in others...

Oil has not hit St. Bernard Parish, not Mississippi Gulf Coast, it's currently moving off shore, away from shore because the wind is moving north. Folks who are smelling the oil is because the wind is forming an aerosol of the oil as it moves over the sheen.  When the wind is blowing S-SE people are smelling oil way ahead of the slick. This aerosol is causing significant health impacts.  Serious exposure now even before oil getting to shore.