Pensacola beach opens against federal advice; 400 people sick

Even beyond the below, there are some eye-raising quotes in the article about the chemical smell of the beach, other general conditions, etc.

I don't know what's sadder...the fact that the beach opened despite the risk or the fact that people actually showed up to go swimming.

The Escambia County Health Department lifted a health advisory on Pensacola Beach on Friday on the advice of a beach official and against the advice of a federal environmental official.

So far, 400 people have sought medical care for upper or lower respiratory problems, headaches, nausea, and eye irritation after trips to Escambia County beaches, Lanza said.

More at source:
www.pnj.com...


[edit on 6/27/10 by silent thunder]

I'm sorry but these people deserve to be sick!

You don't swim in oil

reply to post by jeffrybinladen


The article didn't specify if all of those 400 sick people actually swam. For all we know, they could have simply went to the beach to take some pictures or perhaps help with the clean-up efforts.

Originally posted by GuiltyByDesign
reply to post by jeffrybinladen

 

The article didn't specify if all of those 400 sick people actually swam. For all we know, they could have simply went to the beach to take some pictures or perhaps help with the clean-up efforts.

NO the workers are being hired from private contractors and you are required by BP to have at least 8 hour refresher course....So there's that, these people were dumb they smelled the oil and fumes......so take your pictures and leave you don't stay in contaminated areas!

zero sympathy

Seems to be a case of either, hypochondriacs or a bunch of people trying to enter the BP lottery.

Pensicola beach opens against federal advice; 400 people sick
Pensicola beach opens against
Pensicola beach
Pensicola

[edit on 27-6-2010 by Just Wondering]

oils wells tend to be very radioactive from time to time. i wonder if there are radiation readings on this blowout?

Thanks for posting this information. I read through some of the comments left on the story site. The locals have much to say about what is going on down there. OldSurfer wrote:

This scenario is so like that in the movie Jaws. Remember the mayor and business people did not want to close the beaches because of the shark attack because it would hurt the tourist trade on the 4th of July. The medical examiner, under political pressure changes the autopsy from shark attack to boating accident. Hooper (the guy from the research institute) wants to close the beaches but the mayor prevails and the beaches stay open and the shark gets another victim. It is the same on Pensacola Beach, the federal people recommend closing the beach unti the water is tested but the mayor (Buck Lee) says it is safe to keep the beach open and the health dept (Dr Lanza) agree. Even though tests have not been run and over 400 people have reported to area hospitals with problems after swimming in the Gulf it is determined by Buck Lees visual observation that it is safe to swim. In addition they decide not to close the beach ever and instead will post signs saying swim at your own risk.

It is all about the money it seems. Apparently there is an air show and fireworks (an annual thing) planned for the 4th. Da Da, Da Da, Da Da (theme from Jaws)

This is so sad.

Why would the government advise people to not go to the beach if they said the chemicals BP sprayed were A-OK?

Are these people stupid for going to an obviously poisoned beach? Yes.

Is it a good thing that the entire nation now knows just how hazardous every single beach on our Southern and soon to be Eastern shorelines are from the chemicals BP has been spraying since day one of the disaster? YES!

These people deserve to be sick and BP deserves to be sued by every single one of them.

Our beaches will be completely black, but that isn’t even the worst part! The worst part is if you step foot on the shore line for an hour you will have to be hospitalized because the chemicals BP is spraying are that dangerous to humans, plants, and animals alike.

Just think how many people live along the shore line from Galveston, TX to New York, NY.

/End Gulf fishing.
/End beach tourism.
/End a 5th of American’s way of life.


[edit on 27-6-2010 by tooo many pills]

reply to post by DancedWithWolves




yeah, expect in jaws the public were not aware there was a shark in the water.

if you arent aware there is A LOT of oil and crap in the ocean, you've been living in a cave.

[edit on 27-6-2010 by justadood]

Originally posted by tooo many pills
The worst part is if you step foot on the shore line for an hour you will have to be hospitalized because the chemicals BP is spraying are that dangerous to humans, plants, and animals alike.




[edit on 27-6-2010 by tooo many pills]

That remains to be seen.

Maybe too many pills?

Not being the spelling police but,

Pensacola

thank you

reply to post by justadood


What remains to be seen?

An hour of wading in corexit covered oil will get you sick? I think we are past that.

I was at our Main Fire Station today in Tallahasseee. I asked the about the breathing problems and fumes. (My wife and youngest son have colds, and I have a sore throat...odd for June/jULY) Anyhow, the Firemen said there were not any harmful chemicals associated with the oil spill. Some of these guys have been cleaning up at the beaches either voluntarily, or through their official duties, and they said there is very little actually harmful stuff in the oil fumes, unless you have prolonged exposure (years not days) or unless you are in a quite concentrated and enclosed area.

Now these guys are the experts, so I tend to believe them, and they are out there practicing what they preach, so it means they believe it.

Still, this sinus infection going around my town is very odd?

BP OSHA The EPA all say there is no airborn problem. That's why BP wont let cleanup workers wear respirators because if they do it will signal there is something wrong in the air.

Gee.. I wonder how BP is going to cover this up?

Oh I know.. 400 people had food poisoning before they went to the beach.

My father-in-law and brother-in-law both work for Escambia County Disaster Preparedness. I haven't talked to them in the last week, but last I knew there was DEEP division in the county government over opening the beaches at all. At least my wife's family was on the 'right' side and were against opening the beaches, economic considerations be damned.
I'll be heading back home to Pensacola this weekend and will try to shoot some video and get some good face-to-face information from my sources.

Too much speculation by people, I'm ready to start getting to the raw source of the information.

GBD

The article didn't specify if all of those 400 sick people actually swam. For all we know, they could have simply went to the beach to take some pictures or perhaps help with the clean-up efforts.

Even if these people didn't all swim, they were still VERY stupid to go the beach that had been closed and that they were warned not to go to.

If they got sick, it's their own stupid fault.

It's almost as stupid as the couple that decided it would be a good day to take their kids into downtown Toronto this afternoon while the G20 protestors were rioting, and ignored Police warnings not to proceed. Luckily they weren't hurt, but it could have gone VERY badly. They should both be charged with reckless endangerment of a child.

The article didn't specify if all of those 400 sick people actually swam. For all we know, they could have simply went to the beach to take some pictures or perhaps help with the clean-up efforts.

Even if these people didn't all swim, they were still VERY stupid to go the beach that had been closed and that they were warned not to go to.

If they got sick, it's their own stupid fault.

It's almost as stupid as the couple that decided it would be a good day to take their kids into downtown Toronto this afternoon while the G20 protestors were rioting, and ignored Police warnings not to proceed. Luckily they weren't hurt, but it could have gone VERY badly. They should both be charged with reckless endangerment of a child.

reply to post by tooo many pills


I understand what you are saying. We have to also remember that a great deal of the money from BP has been going for the exact opposite - a huge marketing campaign to convince people it is safe there. Mixed messages are everywhere.

Sharing one more reader's comment from the site -

I just returned from a trip to the beach, walked the pier and it is clear up towards the beach but a sheen of oil on the top swimmers cannot see and some heavy stuff below the surface just about 100 yards from where swimmers and their kids were having a good time. Was out there an hour saw a total of 3 segulls, 1 turtle and a few minnows, nothing else. Two big skimmers, a couple small boats skimming and hundreds of workers, front end loaders, buses and a oil stained beach as far as you could see. Casino Beach parking lot mostly full of equipment. No it's not safe to swim, any one with bit of sense at all can see that with the sheen over the water and the water bubbling in places that there is a problem. I hope everyone involved gets sued when these people get sick.

By the local officials re-opening the beaches they are sending the message that swimming is ok. Signs were covered with black plastic that had before warned folks not to enter the water. Don't underestimate the depths to which people will stoop to save themselves from losing money when their economy is built around tourism and the beach. Being honest with the public about the risks does not seem to be the driving motivation. Testing the water and air quality before lifting the ban was not done. As many have pointed out - the dangers are what you can't see - not what you can always.

Regardless this is just a very sad situation. My family and I have always tried to return to the Destin area where we have family to enjoy our beach time every few years. That won't be happening. I feel so sad for the people living there, depending on the Gulf for their livelihood, and seeing it all destroyed. The people are the last ones to blame in this. The leaders and BP and other agencies we pay taxes to who are supposed to monitor these risks responsibly are the ones to blame. Just my opinion. It's sad no matter how you look at this disaster.

Another comment I read suggested that cancer rates in areas where past spilles occurred should be researched. There was even a general comment that said nearly everyone who had worked clean-up on the Exxon spill was ill or had died. That kind of suggestion is worth some looks. I wonder what kind of chemicals were used to break up and "hide" that oil?

Again, thanks to the OP for the local new information and comments from residents. I'm sure there will be more waves of information coming in the future.

Peace

Originally posted by DancedWithWolves
Apparently there is an air show and fireworks (an annual thing) planned for the 4th. Da Da, Da Da, Da Da (theme from Jaws)

This is so sad.

The "Blue Angels" air show. It packs the beach every year... 200,000+ visitors. "If you want a spot on the beach you need to be there by 10 am," is the saying.

The show will be on the 10th this year, not the 4th.


www.visitpensacolabeach.com...

Pensacola Beach 2010 Air Show schedule is as follows:

* July 7 at 8 a.m. - Blue Angels Circle and Arrival maneuvers.
* July 8 at 2 p.m. - Blue Angels Practice Air Show.
* July 9 at Noon - Full Dress Rehearsal of Pensacola Beach Air Show. Blue Angels fly at 2 p.m.
* July 10 at Noon - Pensacola Beach Air Show. Blue Angels fly at 2 p.m.

It would seem this year no one is going to notice the taste of jet fuel in the air.


Sri Oracle

[edit on 27-6-2010 by Sri Oracle]

reply to post by getreadyalready


I'm sure there's nothing wrong with the air at all.

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/6bd598c4dda2.jpg[/atsimg]



[edit on 6/27/2010 by ThaLoccster]