Reply #70: NOAA (07/21/10): BP spill has toxic effect on air quality in US cities

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In a sampling of a wide spectrum of pollutants, The NOAA report went on to state that as far away as 50 miles from the spill site extraordinarily high levels of hydrocarbons had been detected: http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20100721_p3_oilspill.html

Scientists found common air pollutants, such as ozone, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide, in amounts typical of urban areas in U.S. cities. However, 15 to 70 kilometers downwind from the oil spill, concentrations of certain hydrocarbons were much higher than found in typical polluted air.

The health effects of aromatic hydrocarbon emissions from oil slicks, such as benzene and other known carcinogens, are well understood. Crude oil slicks, as they evaporate, naturally emit high percentages of benzene, the the most deadly aromatic hydrocarbons discussed below. The initial explosion and burning, as well as the later intentional flaring (burning) of methane and other hydrocarbons which BP did for weeks at the well site, also added a combustion emissions plume to the toxic mix . . .

MORE: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/7/27/13589/5266