The Sand Berms Are Working In Louisiana
A delegation of Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority representatives and coastal scientists visited the sand berm project in the northern Chandeleur Islands area today.
Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Chairman (CPRA) Garret Graves said, “We conducted a construction and effectiveness assessment of the sand berm project. The berms are working!”
The delegation found that the sand berm continues to progress in volume and length.
Over 60,000 cubic yards of dredge material was placed on the E-4 berm just yesterday.
In addition, nine hopper dredge loads totaling approximately 30,000 cubic yards of sand were deposited into the sand re-handling area for the middle portion of the E-4 berm.
On the west side of the river, three hopper dredges are depositing material into the sand re-handling area for Pelican and Scofield Islands.
In addition, a cutter head dredge is removing material in Pass a Loutre – helping to restore the river flow to this important area that has experienced heavy oiling.
To date, the cleanup crews have removed over 500 pounds of oil and oiled debris from the E-4 berm.
In other news: Louisiana DHH Releases Oil Spill-Related Exposure Information
227 Exposure-Related Cases; Officials Continue to Monitor Health Impacts
BATON ROUGE (July 12, 2010) – Two hundred and twenty-seven oil spill exposure-related cases have been reported to the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) to date, according to its sixth surveillance report released today. One hundred and ninety-three of those cases involved workers on oil rigs or workers involved in the oil spill clean-up efforts, while 34 were reported by the general public.
The Department is gathering data reported through its surveillance network of doctors, clinics, emergency care locations and medical facilities, which are reporting illnesses and injuries related to the oil spill for the ongoing database. Each exposure-related complaint is followed up on by DHH Office of Public Health staff.
This week’s report also includes updated summaries of air surveillance and seafood surveillance data generated by state and federal agencies, including the EPA, the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health, a private company working with BP, and the Louisiana departments of Wildlife and Fisheries, and Environmental Quality. The seafood data shows that 336 samples of various kinds of seafood have been sampled and tested for chemicals present in hydrocarbons.
Breakdown of Cases by Category:
- Of the workers who reported illnesses, 172 were male, 21 were female. Of the general public, nine were male, while 25 were female. Most of those individuals who reported illnesses were between the ages of 18 and 64.
- Most workers and members of the general public either utilized an emergency room, or urgent care center, clinic or physician’s office (102 and 73, respectively). Thirty-nine individuals called the Louisiana Poison Center’s hotline. Seventeen individuals with mild symptoms had short hospitalizations.
Questions about exposure-related illnesses can be directed to the Louisiana Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222. The Poison Center is staffed 24-hours a day and can provide medical management advice. To report an exposure-related illness, call 1-888-293-7020.
The full Oil Spill Surveillance Report is available here: The report will be generated by DHH weekly and posted on www.dhhemergencynews.com.
Topics: 2010, BP, British Petroleum, Chandeleur Islands, Coast Guard, coastline, Deepwater Horizon, Economy, environment, environmental impact, Garret Graves, Governance, government, Governor Bobby Jindal, Gulf of Mexico, hospital emergency departments, illness, Louisiana, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana Poison Center, Mississippi Gulf Coast, moniter, monitor, news, Obama Administration, oil spill, outpatient clinics, physician's offices, pollution, sand berms, U.S., United States
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