Is it safe for children to swim in the waters of the Gulf with that oil spill?

United States
July 3, 2010 5:06pm CST
I have been surfing the net and looking at information about the BP oil spill in the Gulf. I saw some videos of children swimming in the ocean just as the tar balls or heavy clumps of oil were coming in. One of the informal reporters covering this incident at one beach was shaking his head and wondering if the oil was bad for the children... For those of you who have been hearing bogus information from other sources... Here is the scoop... Children need to be kept away from the oil spil. They need to be kept out of the water when there is oil in the water or tar balls on the beach. It is bad for a child's health to be anywhere near that oil spill... And just in case you adults think it is safe for you... think again... It can even adversely impact your unborn children... Here are the facts behind my words: http://blog.al.com/alabamababy/2010/06/advisory_on_gulf_oil_spill_haz.html http://www.theplainsman.com/view/full_story/8078938/article-Exposure-to-Oil-Unhealthy-for-Children--Doctors-Say?instance=home_news_1st_right http://news.discovery.com/human/children-gulf-oil-hazards.html http://www.deq.utah.gov/Issues/redbuttespill/docs/EffectsFromCrudeOil.pdf Wondering if those of you in the spill area have gotten this information already?
2 people like this
6 responses
jugsjugs
@jugsjugs (12967)
•
3 Jul 10
I would have thought that it is obvious to people that noone should be in those waters with all that oil spill no matter what age the people are.
2 people like this
woodman321123
@woodman321123 (356)
• China
4 Jul 10
Actually ,I really agree with you . Oil is dangerous for everyone's healths if they swim there .
1 person likes this
Kashmeresmycat
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
3 Jul 10
Doesn't it just AMAZE you how ignorant some parents can be? I would think common sense would take hold somewhere deep down inside and register a light bulb going off, duh. I would never in a million years let my kids play in the water with oil in it, how utterly stupid. Nor would I myself get into it. Anybody with half a brain would know better. I think sometimes they just don't want to watch their kids, so the water keeps them occupied, idiots.
2 people like this
whiteheron
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
4 Sep 10
Glad that you would take care of yourself as well as your kids. Thanks for responding.
TexLadyPj
@TexLadyPj (1328)
• United States
3 Jul 10
Herro whiteheron I had not paid attention, our son is grown, married and has his own daughter. They live in Virginia. As for us, I cannot have more children, age and cancer (ovarian). Although I had not researched the sites you have, I won't go to a beach that has tar balls on it. We own a motor home and got some oil (years ago) on our carpet. Never could get it out. I used my brain and figured out that the oil was not good for us. Prosperous mylotting
1 person likes this
whiteheron
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
4 Sep 10
Prosperous mylotting to you too! I am hoping that you have recovered from the cancer. I am glad that you avoid tar balls. :)
Patsie Hatley
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
4 Jul 10
hi whiteheron oh my how can people be so stupid? Children must stay out of water which is contaminated with oil and tar balls. what kind of thinking would permit children to be in contact with oil? It is not safe for anyone and any thinking person should realize that. I am clear over on the other coast, West Coast that is.I hope people living in the area of the oil spill heed these warnings and do not let children swim in that polluted with oil water.
1 person likes this
whiteheron
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
4 Sep 10
I am hoping that the parents continue to keep their children out of the water... Thanks for responding.
cream97
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
4 Jul 10
Hi, whiteheron. I think that it is very unsafe for a child to be swimming in an oil spilled water. This is not so safe at all. Why would adults who are over this area, allow this? It is very scary to know that children are being exposed to this kind of trouble. Someone needs to stop them. This is very dangerous and is such a detriment to the children's health. They can become ill or they can die from this poisonous exposure.
1 person likes this
whiteheron
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
4 Sep 10
I agree with you it was not smart for the parents. Thanks for commenting.
hanuma34
@hanuma34 (819)
• India
4 Jul 10
The captured photos and the reporter's casual attitude does invite strong feelings of antagonism. Why did the reporter get satisfied only with covering the incident. I guess he ought to have alerted the grownups around and tried to bring out the children, as well as others, himself. Just wondering whether or not the oil spill would harm children, for that matter any life is something the reporter should have kept aside and acted positively at the site.
1 person likes this
whiteheron
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
4 Sep 10
It seems to be a thing with some reporters that they report on things without getting involved in them or becoming participants. Perhaps he did something after he put down the camera and perhaps he found it difficult to do anything as the mayors at that time were stating that there was no problem with people being in the water.