Salt Lake Valley Health Department
Health Alert
| 06/14/2010 | SLVHD responds to Red Butte Canyon Oil Spill HEALTH STATEMENT Late in the evening on June 11, 2010, a large release of crude oil from an underground pipeline located in Red Butte Gardens flowed into Red Butte Creek and from there into the pond at Liberty Park, the lower portions of Emigration Creek and the Jordan River. Extensive cleanup and recovery efforts are in progress. Crude oil is a naturally-occurring mixture of many different organic chemicals, including common solvents such as mineral spirits, toluene, xylene, and benzene. The exact amount of these chemicals in this particular batch of crude oil is unknown but their presence in the mixture is almost certain. The EPA has made the following recommendations and information available on their website at http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/odor.html: • “Gas Station-Like” Odor o If you smell a ‘gas station’ like odor – the odor you might smell while filling up your car – it may be volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. o The key toxic VOCs in most oils are benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene. o Exposure to low levels of VOCs may cause temporary irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. It is possible that people with asthma may be more sensitive to the effect of inhaled VOCs. The VOC smell may give you a headache or upset stomach but is not expected to cause long term health effects. If you are sensitive to VOCs, you should stay indoors to limit your exposure, close windows and doors, and set your air conditioner to a recirculation mode. The smell may become stronger if the wind or weather changes. o Historical data on oil spills indicate that VOCs are likely to evaporate, disperse and/or react quickly after the oil reaches the surface of the water. o Currently, we are measuring very low levels of VOCs. We will continue to monitor the air and if we begin to detect VOC levels that may be harmful we will provide updates to the public. • “Oily” or “Tar-Like” smell o To date, the information we have obtained indicates that there are chemicals remaining in the weathered oil known as semi-volatile organic compounds (or SVOCs), and they are primarily responsible for the “oily odors.” Persons who are not directly involved with the cleanup should stay away from waterways in areas surrounding Red Butte Creek, Emigration Creek west of 700 E., and the Jordan River north of 1300 S. They should also avoid nearby low-lying areas where the vapors can accumulate. In addition, vapors from the crude oil can be flammable in certain situations; homeowners in the affected areas who notice strong oil or solvent-like fumes in their homes should evacuate immediately and contact the fire department. For more information from SLVHD, you may call 801-468-2710. |
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