• What will a hurricane do to the oil slick in the Gulf?
  - The high winds and seas will mix and “weather” the oil which can help accelerate the biodegradation process.
  - The high winds may distribute oil over a wider area, but it is difficult to model exactly where the oil may be transported.
  - Movement of oil would depend greatly on the track of the hurricane.
  - Storms’ surges may carry oil into the coastline and inland as far as the surge reaches. Debris resulting from the hurricane may be contaminated by oil from the Deepwater Horizon incident, but also from other oil releases that may occur during the storm.
  Read more.
  
  
• Is my water safe to drink?
  At this point, the oil spill is not expected to affect public drinking water supplies or private well water.
  
  
• Are shellfish and fin fish safe to eat?
  Any fish available for commercial sale, for example, fish in grocery stores, comes from noncontaminated waters. Contaminated fish and seafood will not be allowed on the market by regulatory agencies. However, based on common sense, if a fish obtained from any source smells or tastes like oil, do not eat it.
  
  
• Are swimming and boating safe?
  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.
  
  
• Is it safe to sit on the beach, walk barefooted and dip my feet in the surf?
  Heed any beach advisories, and use common sense. You want to avoid any areas with visible oil.
  
  
• Is the odor harmful? What happens if I breathe the oil mist?
  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.
  
  
• What if I am having breathing problems?
  Some people may be sensitive to any change in air quality, which could cause respiratory symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath. If you have these symptoms, stay indoors, ventilate your home with air conditioning, and avoid strenuous outdoor activity. If these symptoms do not improve, you should consider contacting your primary care physician or other health care provider for medical advice, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma or other respiratory illness.
  
  
• What if I get oil on myself or my 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 as you normally would.
  • Prolonged exposure to the oil may cause some to have a skin rash.
  • There is no need to use harsh detergents, solvents, or other chemicals to wash oil from your skin or clothing, and their use is discouraged.
  
  
• Is any air monitoring being done?
  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, La., and Pensacola, Fla.
  
  
• What are the long-term health effects?
  Based on what we know now, if exposure is brief, long-term health effects are not anticipated.

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