EPA Response to BP Spill in the Gulf of Mexico
Coastal Water Sampling
Water samples collected on May 28, 2010 along the Gulf did not reveal elevated levels of chemicals usually found in oil.
On this page:
- Understanding EPA's Water Data
- Protect Yourself from Oil-Contaminated Water
- Beach Conditions in Your Area
- Water Data
Understanding EPA's Water Data
- See the data
- We are aware that oil is present on some beaches and marshes along the coastline and are collecting samples in or close to these areas. It takes several days from the point of collection to posting the data on the website so data posted may not reflect real-time conditions.
- EPA’s water sampling process includes the collection of the sample, laboratory analyses and data verification (which ensures high quality data). These steps take about 7 days to complete before the data can be posted on EPA’s website. As such, the data EPA posts is not representative of current conditions but rather is a snapshot in time for a given location. We continue to take water samples and will post data as soon as it becomes available.
- Water sampling locations are not necessarily representative of widespread coastal conditions.
- Visitors and residents should refer to state and local information for beach closure conditions in their area.
- EPA contaminant data are compared to technical benchmarks to determine the potential effects of contaminants on human health and aquatic life.
- In areas where contaminant levels exceed benchmarks, it is important to remember that historical contamination may exist in some sampling locations and may not be related to the BP spill.
- EPA, in partnership with states, oversees the National Coastal Condition Assessment (NCCA). NCCA reports describe the ecological and environmental conditions in U.S. coastal waters. When possible, EPA is comparing data collected during the BP spill response to the NCCA data. Sample results are also being compared to EPA water quality criteria guidelines and State water quality standards.
- EPA sampling data is only one tool for examining water quality conditions. Again, we encourage visitors and residents interested in coastal, fishing and beach conditions to contact state and local authorities and websites.
Protect Yourself from Oil-Contaminated Water
Here are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself from contaminated water along the Gulf Coast:
- Pay attention to local authorities and avoid areas affected by the oil spill. The oil could cause health problems, including skin and eye irritation or breathing problems.
- Keep your pets from entering oil-contaminated areas.
- If you get contaminated water on your skin, wash it off immediately with soap and water or a hand cleanser meant to remove oils and grease.
- If you accidentally drink some oil-contaminated seawater and symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or dizziness occur, seek medical attention.
Beach Conditions in Your Area
For more information on conditions of beaches in your area, visit:
Beaches Where You Live
More about beaches
Water Data
Cumulative Data in Comma Delimited and PDF Formats
Water data May 16-26 & 28, 2010:
(Comma delimited data) or (data in PDF format 212 KB)
Water data April 30-May 21, 2010:
(Comma delimited data) or (data in PDF format 201 KB)
(see maps of the sampling locations)
Water Sampling Results - Assessing Impacts on Aquatic Life
Water samples collected to assess potential oil spill impacts on aquatic life near shore were analyzed for 22 chemicals that are components of oil. To reach a level of concern in the table below, only one of the 22 chemicals would need to be present at an elevated level. (For the list of chemicals analyzed see the data set)
For more information on EPA water quality standards, visit http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards.
For more information on state water quality standards, visit http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/wqslibrary/index.html
| Surface Water Sampling near Louisiana - May 20 through 26, 2010 Impact on Aquatic Life |
|
|---|---|
Location (See this on a map) |
Level of concern (Learn more about this) |
| SV001-100525 | Low |
| SV002-100525 | Low |
| SV003-100525 | Low |
| SV004-100525 | Low |
| SV005-100525 | Low |
| SV005-100526 | Low |
| SV006-100525 | Low |
| SV007-100525 | Low |
| SV007-100526 | Low |
| SV008-100525 | Low |
| SV008-100526 | Low |
| T001-1001-100521 | Low |
| T001-1002-100521 | Moderate |
| T001-1003-100521 | Low |
| T001-2414-100521 | Low |
| T001-2415-100521 | Low |
| T001-SW01-100521 | Low |
| T003-0008-100520 | Low |
| T003-0009-100520 | Low |
| T003-1328-100520 | Low |
| T003-1332-100520 | Low |
| T003-1333-100510 | Low |
| T003-1336-100520 | Low |
| T003-1336-100523 | Low |
| T003-2327-100511 | Low |
| T003-2331-100520 | Low |
| T003-2331-100520 | Low |
| T003-2333-100508 | Low |
| T003-2333-100521 | Low |
| T003-2337-100511 | Low |
| T003-2337-100521 | Low |
| T003-2338-100511 | Low |
| T003-SC001-100525 | Low |
| T003-SC002-100525 | Low |
| T003-SC003-100525 | Low |
| T003-SC004-100525 | Low |
| T003-SC005-100510 | Low |
| T003-SC006-100525 | Low |
| Surface Water Sampling near Florida -
May 9 and 10, 2010 Impact on Aquatic Life |
|
Location (See this on a map) |
Level of concern (Learn more about this) |
| PensBOut | Low |
| MBOut | Low |
| MSSnd | Low |
| MidMB | Low |
| WeeksB | Low |
Water sampling - Louisiana locations May 28, 2010
see a larger version of this map
Water sampling EPA Region 4 locations May 9-10, 2010
Coastal Conditions in Your Area
For information on coastal conditions and beaches in your area please visit these state sites:
Alabama:
- Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) / Department of Public Health (ADPH) Coastal Beach Monitoring Program
- Office of Governor - Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Information
Florida:
Louisiana:
Mississippi:
Texas:
Government Response
For questions about the response, call the Joint Information Center: 985-902-5231 or 985-902-5240
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Following the BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico on April 22, 2010, EPA has provided full support to the U.S. Coast Guard and is monitoring and responding to potential public health and environmental concerns. EPA continues to closely coordinate with other federal, state and local agencies as well.
Environmental data, including air quality and water samples, will be posted and frequently updated on this site as it is collected and validated by EPA’s response teams along the impacted coastlines. This data is meant to determine potential risks to public health and the environment.