Some of you have seen this information, but it’s worth a second look.

The video shows the blowout from space up to and including 35 days after it happened. It’s much worse now, as we know:

This short video reveals a space-based view of the burning oil rig and, later, the ensuing oil spill through May 24, 2010. The oil slick appears grayish-beige in the images and changes due to changing weather, ocean currents, and the use of oil dispersing chemicals. Images in the video time series were selected that show the spill most clearly. The full image archive is available on the MODIS Rapid Response Web site at http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/

credit: http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/goto?10562

source: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, MODIS Rapid Response Project

The following is via Global Medical Research.org:

Hazardous Chemicals from Oil Spills and their Advertse Health Effects:

Resource:  OSHA

Table 1. Hazardous Chemicals and Their Effects

Hazardous Chemicals	Adverse Health Effects
Benzene (crude oils high in BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene)	Irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory system; dizziness; rapid heart rate; headaches; tremors; confusion; unconsciousness; anemia; cancer
Benzo(a)pyrene (a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon reproductive [see below], formed when oil or gasoline burns)	Irritation to eyes and skin, cancer, possible effects
Carbon dioxide (inerting atmosphere, byproduct of combustion)	Dizziness, headaches, elevated blood pressure, rapid heart rate, loss of consciousness asphyxiation, coma
Carbon monoxide (byproduct of combustion) Irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory	Dizziness, confusion, headaches, nausea, weakness, loss of consciousness, asphyxiation, coma
Ethyl benzene (high in gasoline)	Irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory system; loss of consciousness; asphyxiation; nervous system effects
Hydrogen sulfide (oils high in sulfur, decaying plants and animals)	Irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory system; dizziness; drowsiness; cough; headaches; nervous system effects
Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) (octane booster and clean air additive for gasoline, or pure MTBE)	Irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory system; headaches; nausea; dizziness; confusion; fatigue; weakness; nervous system, liver, and kidney
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (occur in crude oil, and formed during burning of oil)	Irritation to eyes and skin, cancer, possible reproductive effects, immune system effects
Sulfuric acid (byproduct of combustion of sour petroleum product)	Irritation to eyes, skin, teeth, and upper respiratory system; severe tissue burns; cancer
Toluene (high BTEX crude oils)	Irritation to eyes, skin, respiratory system; fatigue; confusion; dizziness; headaches; memory loss; nausea; nervous system, liver, and kidney effects
Xylenes (high BTEX crude oils)	Irritation to eyes, skin, respiratory system; dizziness; confusion; change in sense of balance; nervous system gastrointestinal system, liver, kidney, and blood effects

Reference:
United States Department of Labor – Occupational Safety & Health Administration (2010). Training marine oil spill response workers under OSHA’s Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard.  Retrieved June 6, 2010 from http://www.osha.gov/Publications/3172/3172.html

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I wonder how many of the more apathetic and/or ignorant and/or stubborn people out there say they (generally) care deeply about their own, and their loved ones’, health, and then contradict themselves by ignoring climate change, the effects of Drill Baby Drill, and the consequences of pouring more chemical dispersants into what is already a toxic stew.

It reminds me of patients who smoke yet refuse to quit after the doctor’s repeated cancer/emphysema warnings. Once they’re hooked up to all those tubes it finally dawns on them that their impending premature death could have been prevented.

H/t: Diane-Michele