I live in Florida, should I be worried?

Hello
I too live in Florida. I am located on the west coast a few miles inland from the Gulf in Hernando County. Nothing happening here yet.

I am keeping my eye on the gulf residents in LA. If any spill related illnesses due to oil,gas or chemical dispersants breaks out it will happen there first.

Rest at ease Misoir your ground water is safe for now. Floridas aquifer system only flows to the gulf, but contaminated rainfall is another story.

Originally posted by IgnoranceIsntBlisss
reply to post by Iamonlyhuman

 

Ok, so you're saying that it flows from the saltwater on up into other states, feeding saltwater into Georgia? Links please....

The fact that the St. John's river flows north is not little known. As far as feeding saltwater into Georgia, I'm not sure about and I didn't say that. You could have gotten your answer alot quicker than waiting for me to reply with links... But, ok... here's one of many, many.

St. John's River Fast Facts

Facts:

* The St. Johns is the longest river in Florida - 310 miles long. It is one of the few rivers in the United States that flows north.
* The land area that drains into a water body is called a drainage basin - also called a watershed The St. Johns is divided into three drainage basins.
* Because the river flows north, the upper basin is the area to the south that forms its marshy headwaters. The middle basin is the area in central Florida where the river widens forming lakes Harney, Jesup. Monroe and George. The lower basin is the area in Northeast Florida from Putnam County to the river's mouth in Duval County.
* The source of the river, or headwaters, is a large marshy area in Indian River County It flows north and turns eastward at Jacksonville to its mouth in the Atlantic Ocean
* The width of the river varies. It is a broad marsh at its headwaters and averages more than two miles in width between Palatka and Jacksonville. It widens to form large lakes in central Florida.
* The total drop of the river from its source in swamps south of Melbourne to its mouth in the Atlantic near Jacksonville is less than 30 feet, or about one inch per mile, making it one of the "laziest" rivers in the world.
* Because the river flows slowly, it is difficult to flush pollutants.
* Major pollution sources include discharges from wastewater treatment plants and runoff from urban and agricultural areas after it rains. This runoff carries pesticides and other pollutants into streams that lead to the river. Pollution is concentrated around urban areas.
* Saltwater enters the river at its mouth in Jacksonville. In periods of low water, tides may cause a reverse flow as far south as Lake Monroe - 161 miles upstream from the rivers mouth.
* Major tributaries, or smaller streams and rivers that flow into the St. Johns River include the Wekiva River, Econlockhatchee River and the Ocklawaha River.
* The St. Johns basin is actually an ancient intracoastal lagoon system. As sea levels dropped barrier islands became an obstacle that prevented water from flowing east to the ocean. Instead, the water collected in the flat valley and slowly meandered northward for about 300 miles. This formed the St. Johns River.

[edit on 29/5/2010 by Iamonlyhuman]

Originally posted by Misoir
I live in Jacksonville, Florida. Up on the far northeast side of the state between the St. Johns river and the Atlantic Ocean.

I have been reading several threads recently talking about the contamination that will get in the air and water that will poison people. I am asking for not only myself but for all other Florida ATS members and all of my friends and family.

Do we have something to worry about right now or anytime soon?
If so what should/could we do to protect ourselves?
What is the worst case scenario from the oil and toxic chemicals in the rain?
I use a private well for my home water, could it become contaminated and undrinkable?

I guess what I am really asking is... Do I have to worry and if so how much?

'
worse comes to worse, one of these should do fine for you

Hi, great post!

I wanted to add my $0.02 since this is going to affect us Floridians whether we want to believe it or not.
Here's a few suggestions:
1. Start stocking up on bottled water. We're also approaching hurricane season, which is going to get hairy since we're experiencing a La Nina. I can't see any good coming from a hurricane forming over the Gulf, then bringing all that crud on land & inland water ways.
2. Avoid driving if it's storming & the system has come from the Gulf side. Cars don't brake well on oily roads.
3. Avoid fresh seafood resteraunts in your locale.
4. Keep an eye on amphibians in your area. If you notice that some have shriveled limbs, 3 eyes, or other malformations, start heading for the hills.

Take care & best wishes, my friend!

[edit on 29-5-2010 by Afterthought]

reply to post by indigothefish


Yeah, masks work great, but you are aware that most environmental contaminants are absorbed through the skin, right? Especially the toxic chemicals they're using to clean up their mess.

reply to post by Afterthought


roger, skin absortion is of course a problem

i understand alot of people lack the common sense with these kind of things, as i have worked construction i know that there are many ways to prevent chemical absorbtion, inhalation, digestion etc, i wouldn't be surprised if too many people didn't realize they could actually buy a respirator that could ensure quality air for under 30 bucks, ( of course such neccessity would have to be a worse case scenario of a toxic blanket of chemical air engulfing the region (which i beleive is unlikely) ) but in the event that a worse case scenario actually does come to fruit, people should be aware that devices to ensure their survival like breathing aparatus are well at their disposal

as for absortion through the skin, well that's common sense, cover yourself. and again, this is a worse case scenario that is unlikely to happen, by my understanding...

but since this thread seemed to center around the conversation of 'what if' it DID become a worse case scenario, i thought someone might find an amazon link to a multipurpose breathing aparatus useful

reply to post by indigothefish


Don't get me wrong. I wasn't slamming your idea. I just wanted to stress how respiration isn't the only way we can become affected.

I'm just happy that I worked at a garden center for my first job when I was 16. I was dusting the fertilizer & other chemical bottles one day when my boss walked over & chewed my butt out for not having gloves on. I have never forgotten that important lesson!

My best to you, my friend!

reply to post by Misoir


GOOD LUCK....is all i can say, what? you don't think this is going to affect your health or the health of your family???...if not, i got a bridge i want to sell you. ask yourself this, how long are you going to be inhaling those fumes...months? years? and how about when it rains?? storms pick up moisture from the gulf and drop it on you in the form of rain...then the toxins will be all around you, in your yards, tramped inside your house, in your parks, in the food grown in that area, on your pets, in your businesses, in your schools...

[edit on 29-5-2010 by jimmyx]