Drinking Water

• At this point, the oil spill is not expected to affect public drinking water supplies or private well water.

Fish and Shellfish

• Any fish available for commercial sale, such as fish in grocery stores, comes from non-contaminated waters. Contaminated fish and seafood will not be allowed on the market by regulatory agencies. However, if fish or shellfish obtained from any source smells or tastes like oil, do not eat it.

Air Quality

Petroleum fumes can be an irritant for some people. The odor may cause symptoms such as lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting or headaches. If you have these symptoms, you should:

• Consider staying indoors, ventilating your home with air conditioning, and avoiding strenuous outdoor activity.
• If these symptoms do not improve, or if you are experience severe nausea or other medical issues, you should then consider contacting your primary care physician or other health care provider for medical advice.

• Mississippi Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222

Air Monitoring

• EPA responders began portable monitoring of air quality on April 28, and began water sampling on April 30. Aircraft were deployed to collect air sample data and provide aerial photographs and will continue tracking. The results of EPA's sampling efforts will be posted at www.epa.gov/bpspill. EPA will make recommendations for the public to take based upon the results of environmental monitoring. In addition, the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health (under contract with BP) is monitoring air quality between Venice, Louisiana, and Pensacola, Florida.

Long-Term Health Effects

• Based on what we know, if exposure is brief, long-term health effects are not anticipated.

Swimming and Boating

• Do not swim, ski, or paddle a surfboard in any waters visibly affected by oil. Do not drive your boat through oil slicks or sheens.

Beach Activities

• Enjoy walking on the beach and in the surf, but heed any beach advisories, and avoid any areas with visible oil.
• Do not let pets enter areas that have been affected by oil.
• Do not burn driftwood or other debris contaminated by oil.

Oil on Skin or Clothing

You should avoid direct contact with the oil, or oil-contaminated water or sediment.

• If you get oil on your skin, wash it off with soap and water.
• Wash your hands before eating to avoid accidently swallowing oil.
• If you get oil on clothing, wash it with regular detergent separately from family laundry.
• Harsh detergents, solvents or other chemicals are not needed to wash oil from your skin or clothing, and their use is discouraged.

Oil on Items Washed Ashore

• Do not burn driftwood or other debris contaminated by oil.
• Oil-contaminated materials should not be disposed of in ordinary trash collection. Leave it for special disposal by cleanup crews.