Posts Tagged ‘ Pensacola ’

New Pensacola Beach Sign: Swim at your own Risk?

July 7th, 2010. By LucyC

If you’re on the Gulf coast and thinking of going down to the beach to get away from the heat—a heads up. An interesting piece in the Christian Science Monitor last week tells of illness reported by people who visited Pensacola beach in Florida two days after it had been covered in oil from the BP oil spill.

On June 23^rd, thick crude oil washed ashore on what was a pristine beach very—popular among visitors and locals alike. Who hasn’t heard of Pensacola? (For all the right reasons). Consequently, federal health officials closed the beach and wanted it to remain closed. However, two days later local officials reopened it. No doubt, the decision was in part due to economic pressures being felt by local business. Beaches bring people, and people bring money. 

Reportedly, there were no visible signs of oil on the beach when it was reopened. But let’s bear in mind that we are also talking about petrochemicals, toxins, that are being used to disperse the thick black oil, and, as some reports state, send it to the ocean floor where it literally suffocates the seabed. 

Last week health officials in Escambia County, FL, including Pensacola, said they had reports from some 400 people who claimed they felt sick after visiting the beach and Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: BP, BP Oil Spill, Pensacola
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