Oil Spill: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Enbridge Oil Spill Marshall, Michigan , August 2010


»EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
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What if I have health concerns about the spill?
If you live in an area affected by the oil spill and
have questions about the potential impact on your
health, call your doctor or contact the Calhoun
County Public Health Department, 269-969-6341,
or the Kalamazoo County Health Department at
269-373-5210. If you are experiencing serious
health problems, seek immediate medical care or
call 911.
Why are families being asked to voluntarily
evacuate or relocate? Will I need to leave my
home?
EPA is monitoring the air around-the-clock. The
tools they are using can provide immediate
information about the levels of chemicals in the
air. The air sampling results have shown one
chemical - benzene - at a level of potential
concern for long-term health. Based on these
concerns, the Calhoun County Public Health
Department issued a voluntary evacuation notice
on July 29 for people living in the most highly
impacted areas. As the response progresses, it is
possible there will be additional need for
relocations.
• Who will take care of my pets if I am
evacuated voluntarily?
Enbridge has committed assistance to
anyone who lives within the voluntary
relocation areas along the Kalamazoo
River. Those affected should call the
Enbridge public information line, 800-306-
6837, where specific questions regarding
individual situations can be answered.
What is being done to protect us from
chemicals from the oil spill?
Public health officials are continuing to have air
and water tested for harmful chemicals in affected
areas around-the-clock. Based on these test results,
officials are making decisions about the need to
take actions such as evacuation recommendations
and water advisories. Monitoring of air and water
will continue as necessary to protect human health
and the environment.
How might benzene affect my health?
In some areas affected by the spill, Calhoun
County Public Health Department issued voluntary
evacuation notices based on the level of benzene
measured in the air. Exposure to these levels of
benzene can affect people differently. Some people
may feel sleepy or dizzy. Others may get
headaches. Benzene can also cause nausea,
vomiting or a rapid heart rate. Long-term
exposures to benzene may increase your risk of
cancer. This is one of the key reasons the Calhoun
County Public Health Department issued a
voluntary evacuation, recommending residents
temporarily relocate from the most highly
impacted areas until the oil-related chemicals no
longer pose a human health threat.
Who will pay for my doctor visits and medical
bills?
People directly affected by the oil spill should call
the Enbridge public information line, 800-306-
6837, with specific questions regarding individual
situations.
Have municipal water systems been affected by
the spill?
Marshall and Battle Creek municipal water
systems have NOT been affected by the oil spill.
To date, there have been no indications the spill
has contaminated any municipal water supply.
Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, EPA sets legal
limits on the levels of certain contaminants in
drinking water to protect human health. Water
systems have routine water testing schedules and
methods that they must follow to detect
contaminated water. These rules also list
acceptable techniques for treating contaminated
water.
Will my private well be impacted by the oil
spill?
Calhoun County Public Health Department and
Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services
officials have been evaluating the potential impact
the spill has had on private water wells. The health
departments have been conducting a systematic
evaluation of private drinking wells located within
200 feet of either side of the Kalamazoo River and
Talmadge Creek. At this point, no well
contamination has been detected. Calhoun County
Public Health Department (CCPHD) and
Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services
(HCS) will continue to evaluate residents' well
water in the affected area.
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As a precaution, CCPHD and HCS are providing
bottled water for drinking and cooking to those
who live in homes with wells in those areas. If you
have concerns about your private well, contact the
Calhoun County Public Health Department, 269-
969-6341, or the Kalamazoo County Health
Department at 269-373-5210.
Wells outside the 200-foot area on either side of
these waters are not likely to be affected by the
spill since underground water supplies ("ground
water" in environmental terms) typically flow
toward rivers. Irrigation activities are not expected
to affect either the direction of the ground water
flow or well quality outside the 200-foot areas.
My water tastes or smells different. What
should I do?
If you have concerns about your water, contact the
Calhoun County Public Health Department, 269-
969-6341, or the Kalamazoo County Health
Department at 269-373-5210.
Can I swim or boat in the Kalamazoo River?
Kalamazoo County Health and Community
Services has issued a ban on surface water
activities on the Kalamazoo River as part of the
county's state of emergency, including swimming,
wading, fishing, boating, canoeing and kayaking.
Local health officials warn citizens to avoid all
contact with water from the Kalamazoo River until
further notice.
Calhoun County Public Health Department has
issued a ban on the use of water from Talmadge
Creek and the Kalamazoo River in Calhoun
County for irrigation or livestock watering
purposes. The Calhoun health department has also
posted signs along the river saying it is closed for
all swimming, boating and fishing.
Additionally, Michigan Department of Community
Health advises that no one should swim, boat or
touch the water of the Kalamazoo River from the
west side of Morrow Lake upstream to the spill
site.
Can we eat fish caught from the Kalamazoo
River and Morrow Lake?
The Michigan Department of Community Health
has issued an advisory for the waters downstream
(west) of 1-69 on the Kalamazoo River to the west
end of Morrow Lake. No one should eat fish of any
kind from this stretch of the river. All post-oil spill
fish advisories continue for other parts of the
Kalamazoo River. See the Michigan Department of
Community Health website for more information.
What should I do if I happen to get oil on my
skin or clothing?
Wash affected skin with soap and water. Avoid
using harsh detergents, solvents or other chemicals
to wash oil from skin as they may promote
absorption of the oil through the skin.
If you get oil on your clothing, wash in the usual
way but separate from other clothing.
Wildlife and livestock FAQs
How does this affect livestock?
The Michigan Department of Agriculture has
issued a ban on using the Kalamazoo River for
drinking water for any animal or for irrigation
(including watering lawns and golf courses). The
ban was revised Aug. 7 to include only the
Kalamazoo River above Morrow Dam and
upstream to the point of the spill or any connected
waters. More information is available from the
Michigan Department of Agriculture.
What should I do if I see wildlife that has been
exposed to the oil?
A wildlife rehabilitation center is open and
receiving wildlife. If you see affected wildlife, call
800-306-6837. More information about spills and
helping wildlife is available on the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife website.
Response FAQs
What government agencies have responded to
the emergency?
As Federal On-Scene Coordinator, EPA is leading
the unified federal, state and local response to the
incident. Emergency responders are working
around-the-clock throughout the affected area. The
unified response team includes federal, state and
local agencies and EPA-approved contract
workers.
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Six primary agencies have responded to the
emergency:
•	U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA)
•	Michigan Department of Natural Resources
and Environment (MDNRE)
•	Michigan State Police Emergency
Management Division
•	Calhoun County Public Health Department
•	Calhoun County Sheriff
•	Kalamazoo County Sheriff
Supporting and assisting agencies:
•	Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (division of U.S. Dept. of Health
and Human Services)
•	Allegan County Emergency Management
•	American Red Cross
•	Augusta Police Department
•	B&B Fire Safety Emergency Response
•	Calhoun Conservation District
•	Calhoun County Commissioners
•	Calhoun County Drain Commission
•	Calhoun County Sheriffs Office
•	Calhoun County Treasurers Office
•	Calhoun Conservation District
•	Calhoun Greenation District
•	City of Battle Creek, Michigan
•	City of Marshall, Michigan
•	Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
•	Fredonia Township Fire Department
•	Huron Potawatomi
•	Kalamazoo County Office of Emergency
Management
•	Kalamazoo Public Safety
•	Kalamazoo County Health Department
•	Kalamazoo Watershed Council
•	Marshall Township Government and Fire
Department
•	Marshall Police Department
•	Michigan Department of Community
Health
•	Michigan Occupational Safety & Health
Administration
•	Natural Resource Group
•	Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration
•	National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
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•	U.S. Coast Guard - U.S. Department of
Transportation
•	U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
•	Occupational Safety & Health
Administration
How is the spill being contained?
So far, containment measures have limited the
impact of the spill on the Kalamazoo River. To
control the spill as much as possible, EPA and
Enbridge have been placing containment and
absorbent booms at strategic points on the river.
Containment booms keep the oil from spreading.
Absorbent booms, in addition to stopping
movement, soak up the oil.
The response also includes the use of vacuum
trucks and skimmer equipment to remove oil from
the surface of the water.
What measures are being taken for the health
and safety of those responding to the spill?
EPA, Michigan Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (MIOSHA) and state and local
responders have specific guidelines for working in
an oil-related chemical environment. Cleanup
crews must have specific safety training, skill sets,
qualifications and certifications to ensure the
safety of the spill site. Additionally, those working
within the oil-affected areas are required to wear
specific personal protective equipment. Safety and
health officials are also on-scene monitoring oil
spill response activities.
Will the spill affect the Kalamazoo River
Superfund site?
The initial spill occurred near Marshall, and the
Kalamazoo River Superfund site is not expected to
be affected by the spill. However, officials
continue to monitor developments on the river.
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