Long-Term Effects of Gulf Oil Disaster and Nuclear Fallout Discussed with EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson discussed the ongoing impact of the 2010 Gulf oil disaster and the safety of nuclear power plants in the United States. The conversation centered around the still-present oil in the Gulf ecosystem, the effects of dispersants used to clean up the spill, and the safety of seafood and human health. Jackson also addressed concerns about nuclear fallout from the Fukushima Daiichi plant in Japan, assuring the public that the air, water, and food in the United States are safe. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of the Clean Air Act in reducing pollution from coal-fired power plants and the potential health benefits of implementing stricter regulations on mercury emissions.

Key Takeaways:

• Approximately 200 million gallons of oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, with some oil still trapped in the ecosystem, including 3500 feet below the surface.
• The use of chemical dispersants to clean up the spill resulted in very low levels of one of the chemicals in the deep sea, with no significant impact on shallow water or shorelines.
• The seafood from the Gulf is safe to eat, according to the FDA and NOAA testing.
• The EPA is conducting multi-year studies to assess the long-term impact on the ecosystem, workers, and residents of the Gulf Coast.
• The EPA has installed the RadNet system to monitor radiation levels in the air, and the results are available on the agency's website (www.epa.gov/japan2011).
• The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is reviewing each nuclear power plant in the United States to ensure their safety.
• Implementing stricter regulations on mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants could save 17,000 premature deaths per year and reduce the number of children born with developmental disorders.

Statistics:

• 200 million gallons of oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico.
• 3500 feet: The depth some of the oil is still trapped in the ecosystem.
• 96 percent: The percentage of state waters in the Gulf that are open for seafood harvesting.
• 21 years: The time since the Clean Air Act mandated the reduction of mercury and acid gases from coal-fired power plants.
• 17,000: The estimated number of premature deaths that could be prevented per year by implementing stricter regulations on mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants.
• 10 years: The length of the study to assess the health impacts of the oil spill on workers.

Sources:

• CNN Interview with Lisa Jackson, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• EPA's RadNet system monitoring radiation levels in the air
• FDA and NOAA testing of Gulf seafood
• The Clean Air Act of 1990
• The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's review of nuclear power plants in the United States