South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

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Gulf Oil Spill – Will Oil Reach South Carolina Coastal Waters?

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced on July 30, 2010 that a new analysis showed that the East Coast is unlikely to experience any effects from the remaining oil on the surface of the gulf as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

In early June, DHEC staff took surf water samples from 10 areas along the state’s coastline to establish a condition baseline for ocean waters. The sampling specifically concentrated on finding evidence of substances that would be an indicator of oil in the water (volatile organics) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH’s). All test results were below any known detection levels.

DHEC is the lead state agency for an oil spill of this type off the South Carolina coast. The U.S. Coast Guard is the lead federal agency. We are both part of a larger, well-coordinated plan that will involve many other federal, state and local partners should a response be needed.

DHEC will continue to monitor the response in the Gulf.

Also see:

• NOAA: Gulf’s Surface Oil Not a Threat to Southern Florida, Keys, and East Coast
• Deepwater Horizon Spill & Possible Impact on Our State (DHEC)
• What to Do if You Find a Tar Ball on the Beach (DHEC)
• Learn about oil spill response tactics and South Carolina’s emergency response plans. (DHEC)
• DHEC’s Beach Monitoring Program (Learn about our routine monitoring of water quality at more than 120 South Carolina beaches.)
• Deepwater Horizon Response: The Official Site of the Deepwater Horizon Unified Command
• Deepwater BP Oil Spill (White House response)
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Daily Updates
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Response Site
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  (Learn about the oil spill’s effect on animals, birds, fish and shellfish)
• S.C. Department of Natural Resources Marine Turtle Conservation Site Sea Turtle Site  (Here, you’ll find information on the training required to volunteer for rescue of sea turtles and other animals.)
• S.C. Department of Natural Resources Response Website