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Gulf spill raises long-term beach safety questions

reuters.com -- It could be years before some Gulf of Mexico beaches recover fully from BP Plc's massive oil spill and are declared free of toxic pollutants, including heavy metals, that can make people sick, a leading environmental advocacy group said on Wednesday.

"This is an unprecedented tragedy and environmental disaster in the Gulf that is raising unprecedented questions about how to manage beaches and other parts of the environment," said David Beckman, Water Program director with the Washington-based Natural Resources Defense Council.

"We've never had to confront before the question of whether the toxicity in a wave wash is such that people should stay out of the water," Beckman told reporters on a conference call.

...group issued its 20th annual report on water quality at U.S. beaches.

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Submitted Jul 29, 2010 By: teafortwo

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:10,784 Points:632,375 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 8:32:52 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse Martinman: while I don't always agree with you, I have to say, you hit the nail on the head. There's still oil in the sands of Valdez. After all these years, it's just a few inches below the surface. And considering all the dispersant, we have NO clue what that will do in the long run.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:10,784 Points:632,375 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 8:31:31 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse 1006: yea, but you don't live close to the coast, don't have to deal with the volatile fumes which burn your eyes and choke your throat.
UseLessGasFolks All-Star Author Iowa Posts:589 Points:357,635 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 12:50:00 PM Ignore UseLessGasFolks Report Abuse So to try to make themselves look good they made a bad situation worse.
ashishpa All-Star Author St. Louis Posts:744 Points:168,775 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 10:55:37 AM Ignore ashishpa Report Abuse not a surprise...
Martinman Champion Author Mississippi Posts:8,430 Points:1,174,415 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 8:24:31 AM Ignore Martinman Report Abuse Oh BS! The reality is that there will never be a full recovery in our lifetime - the problems will just get buried under progressive layers of beach sand. And each landfalling hurricane will provide periodic reminders that it's nothing more than temporarily buried out of harms way - correction, out of OUR way.
1006 Veteran Author Birmingham Posts:303 Points:614,045 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 6:03:00 AM Ignore 1006 Report Abuse right, but let's put some positive thought into this. Quit harping on the negative & let;s deal with it & move on. the press can be areal downer.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:10,784 Points:632,375 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 5:09:39 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse as for water quality, much of that comes from the use of dispersant, known to be a toxic substance but BP used it anyways - against government rules. Now the people living within 150 miles of the Gulf shores are the ones who will suffer long term effects. BP will long be history when these illnesses appear.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:10,784 Points:632,375 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 5:07:27 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse NOTSOGRN - your post makes only partly sense. I can only think it's because you were tired at nearly 3 am?
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:10,784 Points:632,375 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 5:05:30 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse ecovore: you got that right.
EcoVore Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,124 Points:331,145 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 1:44:33 AM Ignore EcoVore Report Abuse Dino juice beaches a real turn off.
NOTSOGRN Veteran Author Michigan Posts:325 Points:611,680 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 1:43:37 AM Ignore NOTSOGRN Report Abuse When was this written? It's dated 07/28/10 It wasn't looking as good two weeks a go. A failed hurricane churned & broke up the oil now hard to find. The warmth + Bactria of the Gulf's waters is breaking the light crude down. Warm waters is what Alaska didn't have going for it. Are there tar balls oil on the shore is spotty at best as bad as it has been some of this may have been over played as fishing is be allowed again. It's looking better now as PB works to fully plug the well. Be careful BP.
genef01 Champion Author Nashville Posts:2,178 Points:702,340 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 1:23:04 AM Ignore genef01 Report Abuse Old news and more speculation.
Powerstroke73L All-Star Author Sacramento Posts:809 Points:335,810 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 1:11:22 AM Ignore Powerstroke73L Report Abuse The gulf is dead, all sea life has been destroyed, the shore line is ruined and I've got ocean front property in Arizona... You know what? Information came out today that: As far as the total number of bird kills.... it has actually been less than 1% of those killed during the Exxon Valdez spill. As far as all the dead dolphins and whales.... a grand total of THREE mammal carcasses have been found. As far as the fish and shrimp populations being poisoned and decimated and the livelihoods of fishermen being destroyed.... so far all of them that have been tested have been totally clean and fishing and shrimping restrictions are being gradually lifted. As far as the destruction of the shoreline.... a grand total of 350 acres of Louisiana marshes have been found to be oil covered, which is nothing when compared to the 15,000 acres that are lost to the sea each year through erosion and man caused water diversions. No, the sky DIDN'T fall but we'll still keep getting faced with stories like this to keep the uninformed and illiterate in a panicked frenzy.....
Saturn93 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:4,240 Points:1,014,765 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 12:55:49 AM Ignore Saturn93 Report Abuse Another new article from Reuters - a national news service. More undereducated, over-paid, reporters filling a quota by writing stories to fulfill a political agenda. Just stick with the facts, all the facts, and carefully label any opinions as such.
Sody33 Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:13,110 Points:1,507,725 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 12:44:00 AM Ignore Sody33 Report Abuse Only with proper precautions put into place.
REKEY Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,652 Points:731,425 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 12:41:58 AM Ignore REKEY Report Abuse I thought they wanted to "Drill, baby, drill!"
TIGERPAW46 Champion Author Florida Posts:2,788 Points:526,290 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 12:38:06 AM Ignore TIGERPAW46 Report Abuse Some beaches were hit worse than others with the surface tar balls. It's what you can't see that is a concern, like the chemical dispersant they used, which left the micronised oil & chemicals suspended in the Gulf water; and they can't skim it off the surface and separate it like the surface oil. It's suspended and below the surface and is still killing sea life. They don't expect the turtle hatchlings not transported to survive once they hatch.
danreino Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,801 Points:678,145 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 12:35:23 AM Ignore danreino Report Abuse Have another drink; dont cost ya nothing....
REVLAW Champion Author San Antonio Posts:5,429 Points:1,034,065 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 12:31:16 AM Ignore REVLAW Report Abuse Remember, "the sky is falling!"
ifallsguy Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,738 Points:758,800 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 12:30:44 AM Ignore ifallsguy Report Abuse think of all those poor Hummer drivers who will have to pay more for their fuel.
250FORD Champion Author Minnesota Posts:7,691 Points:1,238,160 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 12:25:26 AM Ignore 250FORD Report Abuse Z51Corvette Your dreaming, oil could and probebly will be coming on shore in a year. Alaska still is having oil issues and that happened how many years ago? The gulf spill is how much bigger? A year, yah right.
grouch311 Champion Author Illinois Posts:4,044 Points:671,305 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 12:24:43 AM Ignore grouch311 Report Abuse more reports
abfpat Champion Author Illinois Posts:23,296 Points:3,345,835 Joined:May 2001	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 12:21:55 AM Ignore abfpat Report Abuse thanks BP
Bhmf4 All-Star Author Alabama Posts:508 Points:406,170 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 12:21:41 AM Ignore Bhmf4 Report Abuse The beaches are being cleaned now and will be safe very soon. People declaring disasters need the headlines to sell their crap. There are plenty of things wrong that they can write about, but one has to get their agenda out of the way first.
Rageagainsttm Champion Author Tampa Posts:3,676 Points:964,585 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 12:16:44 AM Ignore Rageagainsttm Report Abuse Thanks BP.
Bruno44 Champion Author Texas Posts:2,621 Points:852,770 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 12:13:00 AM Ignore Bruno44 Report Abuse Excellent point Z51Corvette.
ewoodwardjohnso Champion Author Richmond Posts:2,093 Points:531,725 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 12:11:15 AM Ignore ewoodwardjohnso Report Abuse The word I heard was it sank to the bottom...along with dispersant. Gee, I wonder what that tastes like. No shrimp for me.... [Edited by: ewoodwardjohnso at 7/30/2010 1:11:47 AM EST]
Z51Corvette Champion Author Austin Posts:4,149 Points:805,955 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 12:01:32 AM Ignore Z51Corvette Report Abuse Yo handy man... the beaches are cleaner around the coast than you could imagine. The EPA folks are amazed... Reuters is full of Hooey on this... more BS propaganda. The advocacy groups are crying "the sky is falling" when it isn't even close! More "slanted baloney"!being over 50 I will see the beaches safe within a year or LESS!
YLHandyman Champion Author Orange County Posts:4,599 Points:833,570 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 11:56:48 PM Ignore YLHandyman Report Abuse Ask Alaska about clean shoreline.
TBONE3 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:3,900 Points:1,006,620 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 11:56:27 PM Ignore TBONE3 Report Abuse They are learning more and more every day. Some of their time frames have shortened so lets hope other problems will rectify themselves in a much shorter time frame. I think they project further out and should things happen faster, they look good. That is not all bad either.
djtdi Champion Author San Jose Posts:1,236 Points:296,005 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 11:55:26 PM Ignore djtdi Report Abuse I am afraid the beaches are not going to be free from oil toxic materials for years and years to come. It is a tragedy!
VTROCK Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,987 Points:426,780 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 11:52:45 PM Ignore VTROCK Report Abuse Beaches around Los Angeles have had tar balls and oil washing up on them for years because of natural seepage. I don't see people staying away from those beaches because of a health hazard.
NotmeuQc All-Star Author Montreal Posts:733 Points:159,695 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 11:51:53 PM Ignore NotmeuQc Report Abuse At 62 years of age, I will never see the beaches of the Gulf safe to swim in.
Ltdc Champion Author Long Island Posts:2,387 Points:724,795 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 11:49:20 PM Ignore Ltdc Report Abuse Should be a boon for the pool industry.
DosEquis26 Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,947 Points:1,093,785 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 11:36:54 PM Ignore DosEquis26 Report Abuse I can't read the article because of the ads placed on top of it.
vulcan96 Champion Author Ohio Posts:17,949 Points:2,132,045 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 11:31:10 PM Ignore vulcan96 Report Abuse make that 10 billion now
gocatgo Champion Author South Carolina Posts:9,467 Points:1,555,370 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 11:28:23 PM Ignore gocatgo Report Abuse Thank goodness for the $20 Bil Obama slush fund to keep bp honest!
DJRIO Champion Author Miami Posts:2,490 Points:458,575 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 11:27:15 PM Ignore DJRIO Report Abuse time we tell . in what are the real damage is
LoneGuy Champion Author Lansing Posts:3,638 Points:1,360,150 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 11:26:27 PM Ignore LoneGuy Report Abuse Why is it always about BP? Our government led by Obama is responsible for protection of our coastlines. All he can do is send lawyers and epa folks to interfere.
Blue_Cruzer Champion Author Lexington Posts:3,013 Points:774,360 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 11:20:11 PM Ignore Blue_Cruzer Report Abuse I hope BP lives up to there commitment about cleaning up the shoreline.
TheSicilian Veteran Author Jacksonville Posts:449 Points:493,635 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 11:16:11 PM Ignore TheSicilian Report Abuse we have to be more careful and develop alternatives that are viable
WhiteTreeIndian Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,108 Points:212,370 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 11:16:07 PM Ignore WhiteTreeIndian Report Abuse Maybe they can test it with those clad in orange suits.
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:1,537 Points:167,480 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 11:14:41 PM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse Year by year, the cleanliness of our countries beaches are going to pot. More needles, excrement and who knows what else. Has to stop.
Bonito Champion Author Dayton Posts:10,237 Points:2,043,270 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 11:14:19 PM Ignore Bonito Report Abuse GET OFF OIL! NOW!
CobraLeader Champion Author New Jersey Posts:249,146 Points:1,137,650 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 11:13:11 PM Ignore CobraLeader Report Abuse ... Hey Dummies: If you don't know the answer, don't ask the question! ...
joel27nc Champion Author Raleigh Posts:5,544 Points:890,720 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 11:12:03 PM Ignore joel27nc Report Abuse I've never visited a Gulf beach - have you?
jay4 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:5,792 Points:1,326,080 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 11:10:44 PM Ignore jay4 Report Abuse The difference between this spill and those at Galveston, Santa Barbara, Valdez, etc. is the sheer volume.
Gary65 Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,498 Points:467,570 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 11:07:33 PM Ignore Gary65 Report Abuse Only time will tell if there right.
JettaKnight Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,048 Points:1,306,550 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 11:02:16 PM Ignore JettaKnight Report Abuse abcdMA Worcester "other reports tate that this is clearing up faster than anyone expected (Time Magazine--not a conservative magazine)" They must be slipping. Truly reputable media doesn't merely look at the surface but looks deeper into issues. It applies to oil spills as well, perhaps more so. History has proven that what people THOUGHT was a completely recovered oil spill site, was in fact STILL extremely contaminated after 40+ years. People seem to continually need to be reminded that appearances are deceiving.
catspaw Champion Author Toronto Posts:21,167 Points:2,311,465 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 11:01:01 PM Ignore catspaw Report Abuse "Stupid Greenie Weenies...Give it up! People are swimming and fishing on those beaches right now. What a bunch of idiot propaganda." - RENEGADEGAS Just because there are people stupid enough to do stupid things doesn't mean it's safe. Don't tell me you've never seen or heard of anybody doing things too so dangerous you thought they were crazy.