OIL DISASTER IN THE GULF : DAY 30 Oil Slick Spreads

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May 17th NASA photo clearly shows the slick being drawn SE into currents towards Florida
NASA has larger photo with analysis that really shows the Oil being drawn to the Currents and the SE Loop.
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Today's Post is on the continuing growth of the Slick, and reports of Tar Balls and the actual Slick reaching Shorelines. It also has Updates on EPA reports, Dispersant Issues, and Health issues. As well as Wildlife Updates. You can still follow me on Twitter @watergatesummer .
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Updates on Growth of the Slick,Tarballs on reaching Shores.
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NOLAnews ( Times Picayune ) has article " Louisiana warns BP: You're cleaning up any oil that gets near coastline".The Times has updated daily what is happening along the Gulf Coastline and what is at stake. This fine NOLA paper has since day one been asking the hard questions and explaining the damage and damage perdictions.
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Oil coats beach sand at the mouth of the Mississippi River on May 17, 2010 south of Venice, Louisiana.
More from TIME
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Sattelite and aerial photos/images for Monday May 17th are raising concerns that the Oil is now reaching the SE Current Loop and will reach the Florida Keys within the next week. There also was a report of Tar Balls being found in the Keys today.( Those Tarballs were sent by BP to a Lab in NJ today, why EPA did not test them I am not certain). Articles about all these issues are below. ( Will update throughout the week of Where Tarballs and Slicks are being reported.
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Christian Science Monitor has updates from May17th, explaining concerns about the Slick now being possibly directed by currents to Florida shores.
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NPR has story up asking serious questions about daily volume being spewed, worries that the volume might be 10 Times what the public has been told by BP. The Video in this story is astounding and worth seeing.
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Reuters explains how as the Slick Widens the Fishing Ban has had to be enlarged. We have not been given updates yet by the Media as to the true devastation this presents to the Fishing Industry in the Gulf. But Lawsuits are beginning to be filed.
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Senator Nelson has a full Video Collection on his YouTube Channel where he has been posting the videos related to the spill, it is worth seeing as the Loop and the Currents and Slick Path is Explored. 20 Tar Balls were found today on the Beaches on the Florida Keys, the Tarballs supposedly were sent to NJ to be analyzed and determine if they are BP oil. @SkyTruth posted video today from Bill Nelon's YouTube site,At last video of the secondary leak just above the BOP - long video, sharp, shot on May 16 which raises signifigant questions about How Much is pouring from the two other "Lesser Leaks" that we don't know about. Times Picayune (NOLANews.com) and SkyTruth really have been giving helpful updates daily. SkyTruth Video continues to ask great questions.
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As the Slick grows and the now the Heavier Oils do reach the Shores, there has been oil creeping into the Louisiana Marshes, as the Tar balls reach Florida.Alabama and Mississippi Coastlines still are being monitored.
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Already BP is trying to control the Reporting and the Data collection. Today CBS tried to report on Oily Beaches and ran into Conflict as the Coast Guard threatened to arrest reporters as they filmed. They are taking orders from BP, it can not be emphasized enough that BP should not prevent Freedom of the Press or the Truth being shown and Told to the Public. There are Right To Know Laws that maybe we need to remind DC about. Already NOAA, EPA and Coast Guard are removing Data , reports and photos from Websites. This is a Matter of Public Safety and must be confronted head on. This is the Link to CBS and their Report on what happened when they attempted to report the Coastal damage. No Journalists of Citizen Journalists should be threatened with Arrest. Citizens who live on the Coast, and make their home there also should not be intimidated or harrassed for wanting to see or report the Damage to their Coastline.
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UPDATES ON WILDLIFE
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166 Turtles have rolled up on Shore dead, necropsies have not been completed yet, but NOAA and Fed Fish and Wildlife supposedly are investigating the deathes of these creatures. The concern is that they spend alot of time in the Deep Sea and may have been exposed to the Oil Slick but also to the Dispersant.
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IBRRC ( International Bird Rescue) has more about the Bird that it has cared for , most of the birds have been the Brown Pelican which is the State Bird of Louisiana and once was on the Endangered Species List. They are caring for the oiled birds and have already brought 4 back that were oiled, cared for, recovered and released. IBRRC
Northern Gannets, Brown Pelicans lead list of oiled birds we have in care; 4 already released and they are caring for others. You can follow them on Twitter @IBRRC. Also @DawnDishSoap is a great follow on Twitter as they give updates.
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UPDATE ON HEALTH ISSUES
Residents of the Gulf Coastal areas already are voicing concerns on Twitter and complaining of Fumes and also the People working on the Sea as part of the Disaster Process with their boats, are having complaints of Lung and respiratory complaints, I am unclear if OSHA is monitoring them or WHO is monitoring their health and making certain that they have the appropriate protective gear. BP and EPA have both been secretative about
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The DISPERSANT issue
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COREXIT has been approved by EPA to be used on the Spill, 476,000 gallons were used in first three weeks, 216,000 gallons are left of the World Supply. IT has never been used in such huge volumes or as a Delayed response tactic. As of so far the Product has not been properly tested in Air,Water or soil or risks to Sea Workers or Wildlife and the workers caring for them. There are scientists stepping forward and voicing concerns for the Questionable practices being shown with this Compound.
The EPA own fact sheets state that it contains Heavy Metals and cyanide. A lighter version of the mixture supposedly contains Kerosene. BP has been attempting to paint is as harmless,like Dish Liquid.But none of the literature states ANY resemblence to soap.( Article linked is from Fast Link). So far 166 Sea Turtles have turned up dead ( this is not normal), 7 dolphins, atleast 7 oiled birds. People of the region remain concerned as they are TOLD TO call BP with Oiled Birds or creatures. ( On Twitter people continue to be encouraged to call DWF or Sierra Club or International Bird Rescue for advice of WHO to tell of Damaged creature).

The Concern about this Compound is that it also may pose risks for the Fishermen who are helping with the Sea Operations and are breathing the fumes of the Dispersant as well as the Oil, are they at risk for Lung or Respiratory Damage? Is OSHA issuing warnings or equipment or Health Monitoring ? ( I am emailing OSHA I will post responses in Comments when or if they arrive).

On another level there has been no discussion of the possible ramifications or damage of more than 700,000 Potent Chemicals entering the Fragile Gulf Food Chain for thousands of Sea Animals ( Fish and mammals).

Snippet From the Fast Company Article:
"UPDATE: In a statement to the Gulf Oil Disaster Recovery Group, toxicology expert Dr. William Sawyer elaborated on the risks associated with Corexit. According to Sawyer, Corexit is also known as deodorized kerosene--a substance with health risks to humans as well as sea turtles, dolphins, breathing reptiles, birds, and any species that need to surface for air exchanges."

What is causing the most Confusion , Deepwater Horizon Site has different information, than the EPA and NALCO, so unless there is transparencies as to what is entering the Sea and effecting Workers and Sealife and Mammals, none of the damages or risks can be properly assessed.

Senator Markey is the first Senator to step forward and voice Concerns about the use of COREXIT, he is speaking out and has written to the EPA about his concerns regarding the potential Toxicity and monitoring.
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In Gulf Spill, BP Using Dispersants Banned in U.K. by ProPublica.
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COREXIT are banned in the UK and Huffington Post has why it is banned and explained the problems it presents.
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EPA'S RESPONSE REGARDING DISPERSANT USE-their new fact sheet as of today.
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Other Updates from this Week
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Kevin Costner has been working on investing in an Innovative Company that is studying Oil Seperation. He is willing to put more money into this research and help the Gulf. Do read this link about his efforts, it would be wise at this point for everyone to be willing to be creative and help the Gulf. I hope that BP, NOAA , EPA and the Coast Guard realize that Disasters of this scope require Transparency and Problemsolving involving the Public.
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Oil Drum has the latest updates on the Siphon process that is worth reading and the Comments are really educational as well. I for one am very confused, if they are gathering one or two thousand barrels a day, but if they are Siphoning and collecting that oil,shouldn't there be easily accessible Data ?
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LA Times has their latest update and it focuses on what the efforts are and how the slick is presenting new challenges.
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Another copy of the Full Letter Senator Markey wrote to EPA Director Lisa Jackson.
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Seafood Resturantes and Suppliers have already started to Sue BP, this has not been reported by Big Media, but local media on the Gulf is starting to Report.
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If you want to help,Volunteer or Donate you can still read more of this post. Thank you for caring for the Gulf.