Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Federal Response to BP Spill in the Gulf of Mexico
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This site is an online resource for anyone seeking information on the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. It is intended to track EPA's ongoing work in the area and help answer questions about the incident. We will continue to update as information becomes available.
On this page:
With the prevalence of vapor concerns from oil near the Gulf coast and the controlled burning to help contain the spread of oil, air quality is a health concern. EPA has initiated an air monitoring effort to ensure the safety of local residents and track any developing air quality changes. At www.airnow.gov you can see the latest air quality data from around the country including areas along the Gulf of Mexico. Current air quality is shown with maps that are animated with color-coded pollutant concentrations according to the EPA?s Air Quality Index (AQI). The animated contour maps ? much like radar images showing precipitation ? display the hourly formation and movement of ozone or particulate pollution.
EPA?s national AIRNow center receives real-time air quality data ? measuring ozone and particulate matter ?100 agencies across North America, including Canada, as well as air quality forecasts from more than 370 U.S. cities.
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EPA Sampling Plans Across the South and Southeast
EPA is conducting air sampling and air monitoring along the potentially-impacted Louisiana coastline and other Gulf Coast states to assess air quality in response to the controlled burning from the British Petroleum Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico. These sampling efforts will help to determine any environmental and air quality impacts to the inhabited areas around Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.
PDF of initial sampling plan for particulate matter (1 p, 1.1 MB, <!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf.lbi" -->About PDF<!-- #EndLibraryItem -->)
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Initial Air Monitoring of Particulate Matter on Louisiana Coastline
On April 29, 2010 EPA performed real-time air monitoring for particulate matter in the Venice-Boothville area of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. Initial tests from smoke released on April 28 showed the Louisiana coast had not been affected because an off-shore breeze was blowing away from land and out to sea during that time. Monitoring will continue as the burning may produce emissions that impact the coast with changing wind direction.
Data results (Excel) (PDF)
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EPA Deploys Air Monitoring Aircraft to BP Spill:
On April 28, 2010 EPA deployed the ASPECT, a twin engine aircraft designed to assist in the collection of air sampling data as well as photo documentation of environmental incidents.
Watch a four-minute video<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/Exit EPA.lbi" -->
<!-- #EndLibraryItem -->and a slideshow about ASPECT
http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/#airnow
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- You are here: EPA Home
- Federal Response to BP Spill in the Gulf of Mexico
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On this page:
- AirNow
- EPA Air Sampling Plan Across the South and Southeast
- Initial Air Monitoring of Particulate Matter on Louisiana Coastline
- EPA Deploys Air Monitoring Aircraft to BP Spill
With the prevalence of vapor concerns from oil near the Gulf coast and the controlled burning to help contain the spread of oil, air quality is a health concern. EPA has initiated an air monitoring effort to ensure the safety of local residents and track any developing air quality changes. At www.airnow.gov you can see the latest air quality data from around the country including areas along the Gulf of Mexico. Current air quality is shown with maps that are animated with color-coded pollutant concentrations according to the EPA?s Air Quality Index (AQI). The animated contour maps ? much like radar images showing precipitation ? display the hourly formation and movement of ozone or particulate pollution.
EPA?s national AIRNow center receives real-time air quality data ? measuring ozone and particulate matter ?100 agencies across North America, including Canada, as well as air quality forecasts from more than 370 U.S. cities.
<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/topofpage.lbi" -->Top of page
<!-- #EndLibraryItem -->
EPA Sampling Plans Across the South and Southeast
EPA is conducting air sampling and air monitoring along the potentially-impacted Louisiana coastline and other Gulf Coast states to assess air quality in response to the controlled burning from the British Petroleum Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico. These sampling efforts will help to determine any environmental and air quality impacts to the inhabited areas around Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.
PDF of initial sampling plan for particulate matter (1 p, 1.1 MB, <!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf.lbi" -->About PDF<!-- #EndLibraryItem -->)
<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/topofpage.lbi" -->Top of page
<!-- #EndLibraryItem -->
Initial Air Monitoring of Particulate Matter on Louisiana Coastline
On April 29, 2010 EPA performed real-time air monitoring for particulate matter in the Venice-Boothville area of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. Initial tests from smoke released on April 28 showed the Louisiana coast had not been affected because an off-shore breeze was blowing away from land and out to sea during that time. Monitoring will continue as the burning may produce emissions that impact the coast with changing wind direction.
Data results (Excel) (PDF)
<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/topofpage.lbi" -->Top of page
<!-- #EndLibraryItem -->
EPA Deploys Air Monitoring Aircraft to BP Spill:
On April 28, 2010 EPA deployed the ASPECT, a twin engine aircraft designed to assist in the collection of air sampling data as well as photo documentation of environmental incidents.
Watch a four-minute video<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/Exit EPA.lbi" -->
<!-- #EndLibraryItem -->and a slideshow about ASPECThttp://www.epa.gov/bpspill/#airnow