[StBernard] Emergency Response News Release (HQ): EPA Establishes Web site on BP Oil Spill

[Westley Annis]

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 

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