Oil spill vicinity restricted to fishers
The regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) advised fishermen to refrain from fishing and gathering of shellfish or seaweeds within the areas reached by the the oil spill.
DENR Regional Executive Director Julian D. Amador in a news release said that the bunker oil which seeped out of the sunken oil tanker last Friday is not only destructive to marine life but also hazardous to health.
Bunker fuel is a dense, sticky oil produced by blending heavy residual oils with a lighter oil to meet specific needs for thickness and pour point.
It is used in industrial burners worldwide, as well as in internal combustion engines of the compression-ignition type used by certain marine vessels.
Bunker fuel can have little evaporation or dissolution. It has a heavy impact to intertidal areas through coating of sea plants or probable ingestion by waterfowl and fur-bearing mammals.
It may also cause long-term sediment contamination and can emulsify water droplets in oil. It weathers very slowly and shoreline clean-up is very difficult under all conditions whether rain or shine.
Amador said that according to scientific study, bunker oil fumes are irritating to the eyes, nose, mouth and lungs. If burned, it contributes to global warming and to sulphur-and nitrogen-based gases that caused acid rain. It also clings to ocean floor habitat resulting to collapsing of air space in fur and feathers.
The health of any living thing is in danger once contaminated with this oil, says Amador.
It may cause skin dermatitis or cantact dermatitis even after washing especially to sensitive persons. It also poses a big risk for skin cancer especially to those who have a close contact with bunker oil and contaminated water/soil.
He added, eating of contaminated fish and shellfish can also cause gastro-intestinal upset and other illnesses.
Amador said the local officials should restrict children and pets from entering into areas containing oil-related waste due to the potential for skin contact and accidental congestion (swallowing) or oil residues.
People who develop skin rashes due to contact with oil should avoid exposure to sunlight because it increases its effect. Those who have recently healed wounds or open wounds should avoid exposure to sea water contaminated with this bunker fuel.
"We should always protect ourselves from exposure to water in Guimaras and other areas affected by this bunker fuel. When exposed use oil resistant gloves and boots. If you get oil on skin, immediately wash it with water and soap. Do not bring your oil-contaminated boots and gloves in your residence. Leave it at the workplace. Open doors and windows to ventilate the oil-contaminated houses," warns Amador.