Oil spill raises health concerns

MOBILE, Alabama (WALA) - The health department is participating in the oil spill recovery response. It says it may have to deal with some future public health issues but at this time it's simply there as a resource. The slick's position in the Gulf right now could have minimal health effects.

Some oil has been contained and even burned in efforts of stopping it from reaching our shoreline. Although the oil mixture hasn't made landfall, some people said they're feeling toxic effects. The smell of oil has already been reported in the air.

"The odor is not a medical risk. It's more so the byproducts. People don't really know at this point exactly what the issues are going to be with the oil spill," Monica Z. Knight, the Director of Disease Control and Emergency Preparedness, said.

Knight said when it comes to your health and the oil spill: do not eat oily smelling fish, avoid direct contact with the oil and if you do have contact, wash with soap and water, and clean oily clothes as soon as possible.

"It smells like fuel. If a person is bothered by that it could come across as a headache, nausea, vomiting, maybe a little dizziness," she added.

If you can bear the smell when you're filling up your vehicle at a gas station, then officials said you should be able to cope with the odors from the oil slick.

"Only people that have chronic respiratory condition, asthma, COPD, and those sorts of people probably should not go outside if they were to smell the oil fumes," Knight said.

Knight said if you have a reaction, or preexisting condition, stay indoors and call your doctor.

If you're going to volunteer for clean-up and plan to be exposed for a long period of time, contact the command center at (866) 448-5816. They are training volunteers.