EPA Establishes Web site on BP Oil Spill

The environmental tragedy on the Gulf continues to expand.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: May 3, 2010 9:17 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA Establishes Web site on BP Oil Spill
To: <Enviro-News@nal.usda.gov>

From: U.S. EPA [mailto:usaepa@govdelivery.com]
Sent: Friday, April 30, 2010 5:20 PM
Subject: Emergency Response News Release (HQ): EPA Establishes Web site
on BP Oil Spill

CONTACT:
Joint Information Center
985-902-5231
985-902-5240

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2010

EPA Establishes Web site on BP Oil Spill

EPA launches site to inform the public about health, environmental
impacts of spill

WASHINGTON - As part of the ongoing federal response to the BP oil spill
in the Gulf of Mexico, EPA today established a website to inform the
public about the spill's impact on the environment and the health of
nearby residents. The website - http://www.epa.gov/bpspill - will
contain data from EPA's ongoing air monitoring along with other
information about the agency's activities in the region. Also today,
Administrator Jackson joined Department of Homeland Security Secretary
Janet Napolitano and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to tour the region.
The Administrator will spend the next 36 hours visiting with community
groups and meeting EPA staff responding to the spill.

Additional information on the broader response from the U.S. Coast Guard
and other responding agencies is available at:
http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com

"We are taking every possible step to protect the health of the
residents and mitigate the environmental impacts of this spill," EPA
Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said. "For several days, EPA has been on
the ground evaluating air and water concerns and coordinating with other
responding agencies.  We are also here to address community members --
the people who know these waters and wetlands best.  They will be
essential to the work ahead."

EPA has established air monitoring stations along Plaquemines Parish on
the Louisiana coast. EPA established those facilities to determine how
oil set on fire in the gulf and oil that is reaching land is impacting
air quality. EPA is monitoring levels of a number of chemicals
potentially emitted by oil, including volatile organic compounds such as
xylene, benzene and toluene.

EPA has also deployed two Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzers - mobile
laboratories that collect and analyze air quality samples in real time -
to monitor air quality in the region.

EPA tested smoke from the controlled burn two days ago and found the
Louisiana coast had not been affected because an off-shore breeze was
blowing away from land and out to sea during that time. The agency will
continue to collect and share data with the public, and will coordinate
and share information with local health officials.

In addition to monitoring air quality, EPA is also assessing the coastal
waters affected by the spreading oil. EPA deployed our twin-engine
aircraft to assist in the collection of air sampling data and photograph
the spill and surrounding area.

All of the data EPA collects will be posted to
http://www.epa.gov/bpspill , along with frequently asked questions, fact
sheets about potential health impacts of the spill, and links to more
information on the spill and the government's response.

R135

Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a
browser.
[deletions]

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