What Impact does Oil Spills have on Our Food?

What Impact does Oil Spills have on Our Food?

On May 5, 2010, Supermarket News1 (SN) interviewed Donald Rouse, president of Rouses Supermarkets (based out of Louisiana) about the spill's impact on the local seafood industry. The article notes two categories of Louisiana seafood, the oyster and the crab industry. Fifty percent of the areas oyster beds and seventy percent of the areas crabs are harvested east of the Mississippi, in the path of the spill and will be greatly affected. However, 77% of the state's total seafood production is fished out of the west side of the Mississippi, all the way to Port Arthur, Texas. "These waters are unaffected by the spill and remain open," Rouse said. Does the percentages add up or is some information missing?

In the same SN article, the National Fisheries Institute has assured consumers, retailers and restaurant owners that the spill is not expected to cause shortages of seafood, or wild price fluctuations in seafood markets.

On May 8, 2010 the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF)2 Secretary Robert Barham announced that the shrimp season in the territorial seas of the central coast of Louisiana - from Four Bayou Pass to Freshwater Bayou closes effective sunset, Saturday, May 8, 2010. Effective with this action, all outside territorial waters from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line to Freshwater Bayou are closed to shrimp harvesting.

Today, May 11, 2010, the price of some seafood has gone up, some fishes are not being sold, after 21 days the spill has not been contained and we still hear the seafood industry reassuring us the seafood is safe.

Is the seafood really safe to eat?
The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation3 lists effects of oil spills (see http://www.itopf.com/). Noted is the following: “The most toxic components in oil tend to be those lost rapidly through evaporation when oil is spilled. The lethal concentrations of toxic components leading to large scale death of marine life are relatively rare, localized and short-lived. Sub-lethal effects may impair the ability of marine organisms to reproduce, grow, feed or perform normal functions caused by prolonged exposure to a concentration of oil or oil components far lower than will cause death. Oysters, mussels and clams living in shallow waters routinely filter large volumes of seawater to obtain food and are more likely to accumulate oil components. While these components may not cause any immediate harm, their presence may render such animals unappetizing if they are consumed with the presence of an oily taste or smell. This is a temporary problem since the components causing the off taste are lost when normal conditions are restored.” How do you know when normal conditions are restored?

The first step on the road to recovery is a well conducted clean-up operation. Does that mean adding toxic detergents to breakup the oil and using “junk shots” (golf balls, tires, hair, etc..)? Are they making the situation worse? Robert R. Stewart4, a professor at Texas A&M University, Department of Oceanography states, “sometimes the cleanup is worse than the spill.”

It can be difficult to evaluate the effects of oil spills, because the scientific community is not always working together. One side is intent on measuring the damage, and the other side emphasizes the capacity of the environment to recover naturally. The simple reality is sometimes the extent of damage can be difficult to detect.

The oil spill in the Gulf is just one of many oil spills that have occurred in our world over the last seventy years (79 oil spills effecting all 7 continents are noted below. The list is not complete.)*

What have the studies shown on the long term effects of oil spills?
Michael Kaller, School of Renewable Natural Resources assistant professor, notes it’s impossible to know what kind of effect the oil will have on the environment and economy right now. The immediate effect is that the fisheries are shut down and ecologically, we’re still not sure - the worst part of the oil spill is still offshore. (Rachel Warren, The Daily Reveille, Lsureveille News).5

An Internet search on the "long term effects of oil spills" produced about 6,750,000 results with no definite answers.

Will we see the destruction of marine life, oceans and coastal areas during our lifetime? Will we lose a low fat, high protein food source?

Addendum: Regarding Disaster Planning.

I have worked in the medical field for over 30 years and we are required by law to have a disaster plan. Why do companies working in the oil industry, not have a disaster plan? I’ve seen the tanker trucks with the warning signs - “Flammable”. Is that it?

Additional Resources

The Disaster of Oil Spills

 

 

References

1 SN (Supermarket News), NFI Says Oil Spill Should Not Impact Seafood Supplies. http://supermarketnews.com/news/nfi_seafood_0505/ May 5, 2010 4:55 PM

2 Emergency Louisiana.gov, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) http://emergency.louisiana.gov/Releases/05082010-shrimp.html

3 The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) is a not-for-profit organisation, involved in all aspects of preparing for and responding to ship-source spills of oil, chemicals and other substances in the marine environment. http://www.itopf.com/ Effects of Oil Spills.

4 Robert R. Stewart, Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University. Funding for the book comes from the State of Texas, Texas A&M University and from contract 1205046 with U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/resources/oceanography-book/oilspills.htm Oil in the Sea III: Inputs, Fates, and Effects (2003). Ocean Studies Board (OSB), Marine Board (MB), Transportation Research Board (TRB). http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=10388

5 Long-term effects of oil spill expected, uncertain,Rachel Warren, May 5, 2010. The Louisiana State University, The Daily Reveille, Lsureveille News. http://www.lsureveille.com/news/long-term-effects-of-oil-spill-expected-uncertain-1.2259003

How the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Will Affect Your Dinner Plate, Emily Main, Rodale News, Emmaus, PA, May 6, 2010 http://www.rodale.com/gulf-coast-oil-spill

*The oil spill in the Gulf is just one of many oil spills that have occurred in our world over the last seventy years (79 oil spills from all 7 continents are noted and it is not a complete list). Reference: Wikipedia: Oil Spills, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_spill

2010

April 20, 2010. Deepwater Horizon, Gulf of Mexico, USA

April 3, 2010. Great Barrier Reef, Shen Neng 1, Great Keppel Island, Australia

January 23, 2010. Port Arthur, Texas, USA

2009

August 21, 2009. Montara, Timor Sea, Western Australia

July 31, 2009. Full City, Rognsfjorden, south of Langesund, Norway

March 10, 2009. Queensland, Australia

February 14, 2009. West Cork, Southern coast of Ireland

2008

July 28, 2008. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

2007

December 12, 2007. Statfjord, Norwegian Sea, Norway

December 7, 2007. Korea Yellow Sea, South Korea

November 23, 2007. MV Explorer, south of King George Island, Antarctica

November 11, 2007. Kerch Strait, Ukraine & Russia

November 7, 2007. 2007 San Francisco Bay oil spill San Francisco, California, USA

October 23, 2007. Kab 101, Bay of Campeche, Mexico

2006

August 11, 2006. Guimaras, Philippines

July 14, 2006. Jiyeh, Lebanon

June 19, 2006. Citgo refinery, Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA

March 2, 2006. Prudhoe Bay, Alaska North Slope, Alaska, USA

2004

December 8, 2004. MV Selendang Ayu, Unalaska Island, Alaska, USA

November 26, 2004. Athos 1, Delaware River, USA

2003

July 28, 2003. Tasman Spirit Karachi, Pakistan

April 27, 2003. Bouchard No.120, Buzzards Bay, Bourne, Massachusetts, USA

2002

November 13, 2002. Prestige, Galicia, Spain

October 6, 2002. Limburg, Gulf of Aden

2001

October 4, 2001. Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, Alaska

January 14, 2001. Amorgos oil spill, Southern coast of Taiwan

January 22, 2001. Jessica, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

2000

June 6, 2000. Treasure Cape Town, South Africa

January 18, 2000. Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

1999

December 12, 1999. Erika Bay of Biscay, France

1998

January 12, 1998. Mobil Nigeria oil spill Nigeria

1997

December 10, 1997. Nakhoda Sea, Japan

1996

September 27, 1996. Julie N. Portland, Maine, USA

February 15, 1996. Sea Empress Wales, UK

January 19, 1996. North Cape Rhode Island, USA

1994

March 31, 1994. Seki United Arab Emirates

January 7, 1994. Morris J. Berman, Puerto Rico

1993

January 5, 1993. Braer Shetland, UK

1992

December 3, 1992. Aegean Sea, Coruña, Spain

April 16, 1992. Katina P Maputo, Mozambique

March 2, 1992. Fergana Valley, Uzbekistan

1991

July 21, 1991. Kirki, off the coast of West Australia

May 28, 1991. ABT Summer, off Angola

April 11, 1991. MT Haven Mediterranean Sea near Genoa, Italy

January 23, 1991. Gulf War, Persian Gulf

1990

September 16, 1990. Jupiter, Saginaw River, near Bay City, Michigan, USA

June 8, 1990. Mega Borg, Gulf of Mexico, SE of Galveston, Texas

March 6, 1990. Barge Cibro Savannah, Citgo facility, Linden, New Jersey

February 7, 1990. American Trader, Bolsa Chica State Beach, California, USA

1989

December 19, 1989. Khark 5, off Atlantic coast of Morocco

March 24, 1989. Exxon Valdez Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA

1988

November 10, 1988. Odyssey, off Nova Scotia, Canada

January 2, 1988. Ashland, Floreffe, Pennsylvania, USA

1985

December 6, 1985. Nova, South of Kharg Island, Arabian Gulf

September 28, 1985. Grand Eagle, Delaware River, Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, USA

1983

August 6, 1983. Castillo de Bellver, Saldanha Bay, South Africa

February 4, 1983. Nowruz, Persian Gulf

1980

March 7, 1980. Tanio , Brittany, France

February 23, 1980. Irenes Serenade Navarino Bay, Greece

1979

November 15, 1979. MT Independenta Bosphorus, Turkey

November 1, 1979. Burmah Agate Galveston Bay, Texas, USA

July 19, 1979. Atlantic Empress / Aegean Captain Trinidad and Tobago

June 3, 1979. Ixtoc I, Gulf of Mexico

January 8, 1979. Betelgeuse Bantry Bay, Ireland

1978

March 16, 1978. Amoco Cadiz Brittany, France

1977

April 22, 1977. Ekofisk, North Sea

February 26, 1977. Hawaiian Patriot, off Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

1976

December 15, 1976. Argo Merchant, Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, USA

June 23, 1976. NEPCO 140 oil spill Saint Lawrence River, USA

May 12, 1976. Urquiola A Coruña, Spain

1975

January 31, 1975. Corinthos, Delaware River, Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, USA

January 29, 1975. Jakob Maersk Oporto, Portugal

1974

August 9, 1974. Metula Strait of Magellan, Chile

1972

December 19, 1972. Sea Star Gulf, Oman

1970

March 20, 1970. Othello Tralhavet Bay, Sweden

1969

January 28, 1969. Santa Barbara, California, USA

1967

March 18, 1967. Torrey Canyon Isles of Scilly, UK

1958

December 30, 1958. African Queen Ocean City, Maryland, USA

1940's and 1950's

Brooklyn, Newtown Creek, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York, USA.  One of the world’s largest underground oil spills. At approximately 17 million gallons and 55 acres, the spill is at least 6 million gallons larger than the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska. The spill is the result of leaks in the 1940s and 1950s. ExxonMobil neglected the spill for more than two decades. In 1978, a helicopter patrol, the US Coast Guard discovered a large plume of oil flowing out of the banks of the creek. No action was taken until 1990. (Riverkeeper, http://www.riverkeeper.org)

Stamp Out Hunger with the National Association of Letter Carriers on May 8, 2010

On Saturday, May 8, 2010, the National Association of Letter Carriers will do their part to Stamp Out Hunger across America. Now in its 18th year, the Stamp Out Hunger effort is the nation's largest single-day food drive. In 2010, drive organizers hope to exceed last years record-setting total of 73.4 million pounds of donated food, as well as surpass one billion pounds of food collected over the history of the drive.  

Who's Hungry in America?

Remember to help out on May 8, 2010.

Place non-perishable food products in a bag and leave at your mailbox.
Your Letter Carrier will deliver the food to local food banks.

To find out how you can help go to

Stamp out Hunger Food Drive

Melanoma Monday, Detection and Prevention

Melanoma Monday is the kick-off of May Melanoma Month.  People are encouraged to self examine their skin for skin cancer.

What Is A Melanoma?

Melanoma is a malignant tumor found predominantly in skin but also in the bowel and the eye. Around 60,000 new cases of invasive melanoma are diagnosed in the US each year. It is more common in Caucasian people living in sunny climates or in those who use tanning salons. According to WHO about 48,000 melanoma related deaths occur worldwide per year. Treatment includes surgical removal of the tumor, adjuvant treatment, chemo- and immunotherapy, or radiation therapy.

American Academy of Dermatology has prepared a Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention program called 31 Days - 31 Ways

The Facts About Melanoma

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer because of its ability to spread. It is important to catch melanoma early when the cure rate with dermatological surgery is about 95%.

Melanoma can appear anywhere on the body - soles, palms, inside the mouth, genitalia, and underneath nails. However, it is most commonly found on the back, buttocks, legs, scalp, neck, and behind the ears.

Melanoma often develops in a pre-existing mole that begins to change or a new mole. This is why it is important to be familiar with the moles on your body and perform regular self-examinations of your skin. When looking at moles, keep in mind the ABCDEs of Melanoma Detection as described in the following video.

Is That Just A Mole - Or Early Signs of Skin Cancer?

We all have at least some moles on our skin. Do you know which moles are normal, and which could be signs of trouble? This year, more than one million Americans will get some form of skin cancer, and in many cases, moles could have served as early warning signs.

Prevention 

Most skin cancer can be prevented by practicing sun protection. Research shows that not only does sun protection reduce one’s risk of developing skin cancer; sun protection also may decrease the likelihood of recurrence.

The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) recommends that everyone protect their skin by following these sun protection practices:

Avoid deliberate tanning. Lying in the sun can cause premature aging (wrinkles, blotchiness, and sagging skin) as well as a 1 in 5 chance of developing skin cancer. Tanning beds and sunlamps are just as dangerous.  If you like the look of a tan, consider using a sunless self-tanning product. These products do not protect skin from the sun, so a sunscreen should be used.

Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet. Don’t seek the sun.

Generously apply sunscreen to all exposed skin every day. The sunscreen should have a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 and be broad-spectrum (provides protection from ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.

Don’t forget your ears, nose, neck, hands, and toes. Many skin cancers develop in these areas. Protect your lips, another high-risk area, with lip balm that offers sun protection with an SPF of 30 or higher.

Sunscreen should not be used to prolong sun exposure. Some UV light gets through sunscreen.

Sunscreens should be applied to dry skin 15-30 minutes before going outdoors, and reapplied approximately every two hours.

Be sure to reapply sunscreen after being in water or sweating.

Sunscreen does not make sunbathing safe.

Wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, a hat, and sunglasses, where possible.

Seek shade when appropriate. The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun. This can increase your risk chance of sunburn.

Aside from skin cancer, the sun’s UV rays also cause premature aging: Signs of premature aging include wrinkles, mottled skin, and loss of skin’s firmness.

Indoor Tanning is Out

Not only can the ultraviolet radiation from indoor tanning beds lead to wrinkles, it also increases the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. On an average day, more than one million Americans tan in tanning salons. Research shows that nearly 70 percent of indoor tanners are female, primarily 16 to 29 years old.

The Academys public service advertisement (PSA) campaign aims to educate the public, especially young women, about the dangers of indoor tanning. The campaign contains print, television and radio advertisements, which all carry the same theme: Indoor Tanning is Out®. In the television advertisements, a series of young women tell their peers why indoor tanning is not as safe as they might think.

May Wellness News Highlights

May 2010 Current News and Resources in Nutrition, Food, Health,
Recalls/Safety and Disability Rights.
Encourages awareness & inspires ideas for Journalists, Educators,
Consumers and Health Professionals. 

May Wellness News Highlights

Arthritis Awareness Month, Better Hearing & Speech Month, Clean Air Month, Family Wellness Month, Gifts From The Garden Month, Food Drive for Homeless Animals Month, Heal the Children Month, Motorcycle Safety Month, National Allergy/Asthma Awareness Month, National Asparagus Month, National Barbeque Month, National Bike Month, National Egg Month, National Hamburger Month, National Hepatitis Awareness Month, National Meditation Month, National Melanoma / Skin Cancer Awareness Month, National Osteoporosis Awareness Prevention Month, National Physical Fitness & Sports Month, National Salad Month, National Salsa Month, National Smile Month, National Strawberry Month, National Stroke Awareness Month, National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month, National Vinegar Month, Older Americans Month, Strike Out Strokes Month, Sweet Vidalia Onions Month, Teen Self-Esteem Month, Ultra-violet Awareness Month, Women's Health Care Month, Young Achievers of Tomorrow Month, National Family Month (5/9 to 6/20)

April 25 to May 3, 2010 Safe Kids Week

April 25 to May 3, 2010
Safe Kids Week

Safe Kids Week

We Believe Campaign - We believe that all kids deserve to grow up safe, healthy and injury free. If you believe in a world without preventable injuries, join in the fight to protect kids! Visit Safe Kids USA

Safe Kids and the MetLife Foundation have partnered to bring a series of safety videos highlighting how you can take precautions in the home to help prevent injuries to children with physical, developmental or cognitive disabilities.

Children Learn of the Dangers of Pills From the Danger Rangers at DangerRangers.com

Michael Anderson, MD, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, discusses potential food choking hazards

Safety in the Workplace Worker’s Memorial Day (Founding of OSHA)

April 28th.  Worker’s Memorial Day.
First proclaimed in 1989 to commemorate the founding of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on Apr 28, 1970 (signed into law in 1971).

Safety in Restaurants

Slips and Falls

Foodborne Disease OSHA Standards

Control and Prevention

Control of foodborne diseases is based on avoidance of contaminated food, destruction of contaminants, and prevention of further spread of contaminants. Prevention is dependent upon proper cooking and storing practices, and personal hygiene of food handlers.

The quality of food, and controls used to prevent foodborne diseases, are primarily regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and local public health authorities. These diseases may be occupationally related if they affect the food processors (e.g., poultry processing workers), food preparers and servers (e.g., cooks, waiters), or workers who are provided food at the worksite.

Section 5(a)(1) of the OSHA Act, often referred to as the General Duty Clause, requires employers to "furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees". Section 5(a)(2) requires employers to "comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act".

Safety Orientation for Healthcare

The OSHA Safety Orientation for Healthcare materials show employees how to protect themselves from some of the most common hazards. For more information on these materials please contact National Safety Compliance at 1.877.922.7233 or visit http://www.osha-safety-training.net/.

National Office
U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20210

National DNA Day A Look at Genetically Modified Foods

April 23rd is National DNA day. The day commemorates the completion of the Human Genome Project in April 2003 and the discovery of the DNA double helix.

DNA plays a significant role in our foods, medicine, medical research and numerous other areas of our lives. Genetically Modified (GM) Foods are a controversial topic. On one side, there are those who want to prevent GM because they believe the foods are harmful. While the other group wants to fund GM projects in the hope of producing bigger foods (fruits, vegetables, livestock), insect resistant, more nutritious, etc.

This video was created as part of a USDA grant
to explain Genetic Modifications to the American consumer.

Bill Gates explains why his philanthropic foundation helps fund genetically modified food research. "You are right on the verge of starvation all the time, so every tool that's safe and appropriate, you at least want to look into," he says.

For Educators and those who find music a fun way to learn.

Here is a DNA song.

For more Information on the DNA project and educational tools, go to http://www.genome.gov/

Hummus versus Mayonnaise

Hummus versus Mayonnaise

If you use one Tablespoon of Hummus,
instead of one Tablespoon of Mayonnaise
You will save 74 calories!

National Animal Crackers Day, April 18

Animal crackers are usually in the shape of circus animals such as lions, tigers, bears, and elephants. During the late 1800's, animal crackers were imported from England to the United States. The first batch of animal crackers were made by Stauffer's Biscuit Company in 1871 in York, Pennsylvania. Other local bakeries soon came together under the National Biscuit Company, or "Nabisco Brands." In 1902, the animal cracker's box officially became "Barnum's Animals" with the circus themed box.

April is Fresh Florida Tomato Month

April is Fresh Florida Tomato Month and today April 6th we celebrate Fresh Tomato Day.

Low in Calories and rich in Vitamin C. Tomatoes are fun and easy to grow, indoors or outdoors.

The Easter Egg

The Easter Egg

Where did the colored Easter eggs come from? The egg is a symbol of new life, rebirth and the celebration of spring. The early Christians describes the egg as a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus.

After a long hard winter with small amounts of food, an egg for Easter was quite a treasure. Later, Christians abstained from eating meat during Lent. Easter was the first chance to enjoy eggs and meat after the long abstinence.

Chicken egg versus the Chocolate Easter Egg
A large chicken egg is only 80 calories and rich in protein. Check the chocolate eggs below and compare.

Chocolate designed to look like a carrot was a surprise, but the biggest surprise was on the nutrition label

April Wellness News

April 2010 Current News and Resources in Nutrition, Food, Health, Recalls/Safety and Disability Rights. Encourages awareness and inspires ideas for Journalists, Educators, Consumers and Health Professionals.


April Monthly Events: Alcohol Awareness Month; Autism Awareness Month; Cancer Control Month; Child Abuse Prevention Month; Informed Women Month; Injury Prevention Month; International Customer Loyalty Month; IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Month; Month of the Military Child; National Donate Life Month; National Occupational Therapy Month; National Parkinson's Awareness Month; National Youth Sports Safety Month; Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month; Women's Eye Health and Safety Month; World Habitat Awareness Month; Celebrate Diversity Month; Community Spirit Days; Emotional Overeating Awareness Month; Florida Tomato Month; Global Child Nutrition Month; National Garden Month; National Pecan Month; National Soft Pretzel Month; National Soy Foods Month; Jazz Appreciation Month; Keep America Beautiful; National Humor Month; School Library Media Month; Stress Awareness Month