4 Years After BP Spill, Questions On Long-Term Health

English: Platform supply vessels battle the blazing remnants of the off shore oil rig Deepwater Horizon. A Coast Guard MH-65C dolphin rescue helicopter and crew document the fire aboard the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon, while searching for survivors. Multiple Coast Guard helicopters, planes and cutters responded to rescue the Deepwater Horizon’s 126 person crew. Français : Les restes en feu de la plateforme Deepwater Horizon. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

CHALMETTE, LA — When a BP oil well began gushing crude into the Gulf of Mexico four years ago, fisherman George Barisich used his boat to help clean up the millions of gallons that spewed in what would become the worst offshore spill in U.S. history.

Like so many Gulf Coast residents who pitched in after the April 20, 2010, explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig, Barisich was motivated by a desire to help and a need to make money — the oil had destroyed his livelihood.

Today he regrets that decision, and worries his life has been permanently altered. Barisich, 58, says respiratory problems he developed during the cleanup turned into pneumonia and that his health has never been the same.

“After that, I found out that I couldn’t run. I couldn’t exert fast a walk,” he said. His doctor declined to comment.

Read more here: http://www.centredaily.com/2014/04/11/4130069/4-years-after-spill-questions.html?sp=/99/116/128/#storylink=cpy

Isaac Becomes Category 1 Hurricane Near Gulf Coast

(Updated at 1:13 p.m.) MIAMI — Isaac became a hurricane Tuesday that could flood the coasts of four states with storm surge and heavy rains on its way to New Orleans, where residents hunkered down behind levees fortified after Katrina struck seven years ago this week.

Shelters were open for those who chose to stay or missed the chance to get away before the outer bands of the large storm blow ashore ahead of a forecast landfall in southeast Louisiana on Tuesday night or early Wednesday.  However, with the exception of some low-lying areas, officials had not ordered mass evacuations.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Isaac became a Category 1 hurricane Tuesday with winds of 75 mph.  It could get stronger by the time it’s expected to reach the swampy coast of southeast Louisiana.

In Houma, a city southwest of New Orleans, people filled a municipal auditorium-turned-shelter.  However, in the bayou country of Terrebonne Parish off Highway 24, storms pose a perennial dilemma for those living a hardscrabble life.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20120828/NEWS04/120829390/updated-isaac-becomes-cat-1-hurricane-near-gulf-coast&pager=full_story

Gulf Oil Spill Panel Findings Leaked!

Image via Wikipedia

Here is an article about the leaked findings from the presidential panel on the BP Oil Spill Disaster:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40956664/40777506

Video From Destin Beach Florida – The BP Oil Spill

It is heart breaking to see how bad this is and that now Florida is being affected!  This video gives some perspective on the damage being done.  Please take 4 minutes and watch this video.  It is certainly illuminating!

Local Man Takes Action Regarding The Gulf Oil Spill

If you did not get today’s Mercury, but would like to read about a Pottstown man who is trying to make a difference in the Gulf, you can read his inspiring story here:

http://www.pottsmerc.com/articles/2010/06/23/news/srv0000008620910.txt

Off-Shore Oil Spill Threatens Louisiana

A massive oil spill is threatening the Louisiana coastline.  BP has been unable to stop the massive flow of oil (210,000 gallons a day) from a well explosion that is leaking from as deep as a mile underwater.  The government is now getting involved because of BP’s inability to solve their own problem.  BP is responsible for the $6 million dollar a day price tag. 

One third of the nation’s seafood comes from Louisiana and the delta area is in great danger.  This could eclipse the Exxon Valdez spill if not contained soon.  Oil has already reached the coastline which is teaming with wildlife.

Louisiana has never fully recovered from Katrina.  This disaster could not come at a worse time.