May 01, 2010 DHH Advises Public Not to Swim or Fish in Areas Affected by the Oil Spill, Provides Guidance on Cleaning Skin if Oil Contact Occurs

BATON ROUGE, May 01, 2010 - The Louisiana Department of Health is advising residents to avoid areas affected by the oil spill. The oil could cause adverse health effects in some individuals. Residents should follow the guidelines below.

• Avoid direct skin contact with oil, oil-contaminated water and sediments.
• Do not swim or ski in areas affected by the oil spill, and if you must travel through the area by boat, take precautions when hoisting the boat anchor.
• Do not fish in the oil spill-affected waters.
• Do not harvest and eat dead fish, fish with oily residue, or fish that have a petroleum odor.
• Do not drive your boat through slicks or sheens.
• Young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, and individuals with underlying respiratory conditions should avoid the area.
• Restrict pets from entering oil-contaminated areas.

IMPORTANT: If you get oil on your skin, wash it off immediately with soap and water or hand-cleansers meant to remove oils and grease. If you develop a rash, see your doctor and tell them how you came into contact with the oil.
For more information related to the oil spill, visit www.emergency.louisiana.gov.  Connect with us on www.facebook.com/GOHSEP  and on Twitter @GOHSEP.

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