June 8th, World Oceans Day

Today, June 8th is World Oceans Day.

The Ocean Project and the World Ocean Network has helped coordinate events and activities throughout the world. In December 2008, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution making World Oceans Day officially recognized by the UN on June 8th each year.

Nearly three-quarters of the Earth's surface is covered by water. The oceans have played a crucial role in the history and sustenance of all life.

From the Ocean Project: 
The World's Oceans....

*Generates most of the oxygen we breathe

*Helps feed us

*Regulates our climate

Goals of World Oceans Day

Encourage individuals to think about what the ocean means to them and what it has to offer all of us with hopes of conserving it for present and the future generations.

Discover the wealth of diverse and beautiful ocean creatures and habitats, how our daily actions affect them, and how we are all interconnected.

Celebrate - whether you live inland or on the coast we are all connected to the ocean; take the time to think about how the ocean affects you, and how you affect the ocean, and then organize or participate in activities that celebrate our world ocean.

Like so many people, the recent oil spill has left me angry, devastated and wondering whether we will see the destruction of marine life, oceans and coastal areas during our life time.

It's up to each one of us to help ensure that our ocean is protected and conserved for future generations. Please don't just leave memories of the wonders of the Oceans for our children and grandchildren.

Oceans and the Oil Spills

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 

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/)

Sun Safety Awareness Week, June 1 to 7

Sun Safety Alliance

The Sun Safety Alliance, Inc. (SSA) is a communication and educationally focused not-for-profit organization with the mission to reduce the incidence of skin cancer. SSA is dedicated to creating national awareness of skin cancer as an important health issue. SSA believes that a concerted focus on skin cancer prevention, education, and awareness is the only way to change generations of behavior.

The SSA works to elevate sun safety and skin cancer prevention in national media space through various program activities and providing resources for the accurate depictions of sun safety. 

SSA additionally works to:

 1.  Bridge the gap between research on sun safety and skin cancer prevention issues and strategic means of communicating them to the public.

 2.  Educate the public and improve public awareness regarding the importance of sun care safety, especially for children, with the goal of helping to prevent skin cancer due to sun exposure; To encourage members of the public to take action to protect themselves and their families, especially children, from the dangers of the sun;

 3.  Enhance the ability of healthcare providers, including community pharmacists and physicians, to promote the mission of eliminating skin cancer.

Sun Safety Tips prepared by the Sun Safety Alliance.

1. Sun exposure causes most of the wrinkles and age spots on our faces and is the number one cause of skin cancer.
2. Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater 30 minutes before sun exposure and then every few hours thereafter.
3. Select cosmetic products and contact lenses that offer UV protection.
4. Wear sunglasses with total UV protection
5. Wear wide-brimmed hats, long sleeved shirts and pants
6. Avoid direct sun exposure as much as possible during peak UV radiation hours between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm.
7. Perform skin self-exams regularly to become familiar with existing growths and to notice any changes or new growths
8. As a parent, be a good role model and foster skin cancer prevention habits in your child
9. Avoid tanning beds

June Wellness News

June Wellness News

In addition to the events listed in the video, there are more
presented on Wellness News.
June 2010 Current News and Resources in Nutrition, Food, Health,
Recalls/Safety, Disability Rights and Environmental Issue.
Encourages awareness & inspires ideas for Journalists, Educators,
Consumers and Health Professionals.

June Celebrations, Causes and/or Fun Events
Atlantic Hurricane Season begins;
International Men's Month;
Adopt A Shelter Cat Month;
Cancer from the Sun Month;
Child Vision Awareness Month;
Children's Awareness Month;
Effective Communications Month;
Great Outdoors Month;
International Childhood Cancer Campaign Month;
National Aphasia Awareness Month;
June is Perennial Gardening Month;
National Drive Safe Month;
National Fireworks Safety Month (June 1 - July 4th);
National Home Safety Month;
National Rivers Month;
National Rose Month;
National Safety Month;
Student Safety Month;
Dairy Month;
Dairy Alternative Month;
June is Turkey Lovers Month;
National Candy Month;
National Ice Tea Month;
National Papaya Month;
National Smile Month;
National Soul Food Month;
National Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Month;
National Steakhouse Month;
National Zoo and Aquarium Month;
Potty Training Awareness Month;
Professional Wellness Month;
Rebuild Your Life Month;
Sports America Kids Month;
Vision Research Month;
Women's Golf Month

The Winners of the Annual National Nutrition Month Poster Contest

On May 20, 2010 the Broward County Public School winners of the National Nutrition Month Poster Contest were given awards and money to buy a “Let’s Move” incentive prize. The annual event is coordinated by Darlene Moppert, MS, RD, Program Manager of Nutrition Education and Training at Broward County Public Schools and sponsored by the Broward County Dietetic Association.

The students did an amazing job. They creatively described the themes “Eat Right” or “Nutrition from the Ground”.

Congratulations to all the winners, parents,
teachers and nutrition service staff.

Broward County Public School Winners of the
National Nutrition Month Poster Contest

The Winners

Heinz Ketchup to Provide Consumers with Lower Sodium Ketchup

To help in the effort to reduce consumers’ sodium intake, Heinz will reduce sodium by 15 percent in its core line of ketchup beginning the summer of 2010. “As the largest producer of ketchup in the U.S., Heinz is dedicated to meeting the growing consumer demand for better-for-you products, particularly with lower sodium,” said Idamarie Laquatra, Director of Global Nutrition, Heinz. “ Heinz Ketchup is proud to provide consumers with lower sodium ketchup with the great taste that Americans expect.” This reduction in sodium will make Heinz Ketchup the lowest-sodium, nationally available ketchup in the U.S. 

Where does sodium come from?

Sodium comes from natural sources or are added to foods. Most foods in their natural state contain some sodium. However, the majority of sodium Americans consume comes from sodium added to processed foods by manufacturers. While some of this sodium is added to foods for safety reasons, the amount of salt added to processed foods is above what is required for safety and function of the food supply.

Reading Labels
When you buy prepared and packaged foods, read the labels. You can tell the sodium content by looking at the Nutrition Facts panel of a food. Listed are the amount for sodium, in milligrams (mg), and the “% Daily Value.” Also read the ingredient list to watch for the words "soda" (referring to sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda), "sodium" and the symbol "Na" to see if the product contains sodium.

Salt and/or Sodium Descriptors
Salt Free:  Meets requirements for "sodium free."
Sodium Free: Fewer than 5 milligrams sodium per serving.
Very Low Sodium:  35 milligrams or less sodium per serving.
Low Sodium: 140 milligrams or less per serving 
Reduced Sodium:  At least 25 percent less sodium per serving.
Unsalted:  Has no salt added during processing. To use this term, the product it resembles must normally be processed with salt and the label must note that the food is not a sodium-free food if it does not meet the requirements for "sodium free".

The FDA and USDA state an individual food that has the claim "healthy" must not exceed 480 mg sodium per reference amount. "Meal type" products must not exceed 600 mg sodium per labeled serving size.

Sodium and Hypertension.
In order for a food to make an Allowable Health Claim it must contain a defined amount of nutrients. In relationship to sodium and Hypertension the amount is 140 milligrams or less sodium per serving.

American Heart Association (AHA)
The American Heart Association recommends you choose and prepare foods with little or no salt to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Aim to eat less than 1,500 mg of sodium per day (less that 3/4 teaspoon of salt).
The AHA is working with federal agencies to identify ways to reduce the amount of sodium in the food supply. The association is encouraging food manufacturers and restaurants to reduce the amount of sodium in foods by 50 percent over a 10-year period. AHA will help Americans lower the amount of sodium they consume by the following strategies:
 1. Reduce the amount of sodium in the food supply,
 2. Make more healthy foods available (e.g., more fruits and vegetables); and
 3. Provide consumers with education and decision-making tools to make better choices.

 Tips for reducing sodium in the diet
 1.  Choose fresh, frozen or canned food items without added salts.
 2.  Select unsalted nuts or seeds, dried beans, peas and lentils.
 3.  Limit salty snacks like chips and pretzels.
 4.  Avoid adding salt and canned vegetables to homemade dishes.
 5.  Select unsalted, lower sodium, fat-free broths, bouillons or soups.
 6.  Select fat-free or low-fat milk, low-sodium, low-fat cheeses and low-fat yogurt.
 7.  Use spices and herbs to enhance the taste of your food. 
 8.  Add fresh lemon juice instead of salt to fish and vegetables.
 9.  When dining out, ask for your dish to be prepared without salt.
10. Don’t use the salt shaker. 

How much sodium is in salt?

1/4 teaspoon salt = 600 mg sodium

1/2 teaspoon salt = 1200 mg sodium

3/4 teaspoon salt = 1800 mg sodium

1 teaspoon salt = 2400 mg sodium

National Fruit Cocktail Day

May 13th is National Fruit Cocktail Day.

Definitions.
1. A mixture of sliced or diced fruits.
2. A mixture of chopped fruit served as an appetizer, often chilled; tends to be less sweet than a fruit salad.
3. A mixture of fresh or preserved fruits cut into pieces and served as an appetizer or dessert; also called a fruit cup.
4. Canned fruit cocktail and canned fruit salad are similar, but fruit salad contains larger fruit while fruit cocktail is diced.

Canned Fruit Cocktail can be purchased in the following packing mediums:
Extra heavy
Heavy
Light
Fruit Juice and Water
Fruit Juice
Artificially Sweetened

The USDA product sheets1 state canned "Fruit cocktail" must contain pears, grapes, cherries, peaches, and pineapples, otherwise it cannot be called fruit cocktail. It should contain fruits in not less nor more than the following percentages:
30% to 50% diced peaches, any yellow variety
25% to 45% diced pears, any variety
6% to 16% diced pineapple, any variety
6% to 20% whole grapes, any seedless variety
2% to 6% cherry halves, any light sweet or artificial red variety

1 Product sheets, Choice Plus, Publication Number FCS-297, a joint publication of USDA and the National Food Service Management Institute at the University of Mississippi.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/quality_fruit.pdf

A simple fruit salad or fruit kabob makes a healthy dish and easy to prepare.

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