This page addresses potential health issues that may affect Sarasota County residents and visitors due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. 

• Sarasota County's response, information resources, and how to volunteer:
  Sarasota County Government's Oil Spill webpage

1-800-222-1222  [Operated by the Florida Poison Control Center] Poison centers in the Gulf region are available to take any and all health-related calls related to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. If you or a loved one are worried about health issues related to the Gulf spill, please call your local poison center at the above number. Please use this line for health-related concerns only.

(This page last Updated 07/01/2010)

Health Advisories

• None at this time.

The Department of Health and Department of Environmental Protection, along with Sarasota County government, are closely monitoring the situation.  If necessary, advisories will be made with regards to any health risks to Sarasota County residents due to the oil spill.

Further health info related to the oil spill:

• Florida Dept of Environmental Protection's Deepwater Horizon Health Info page
• Crude Oil Spills & Health [US National Library of Medicine]
• Fact Sheet For Healthcare Providers [68 KB PDF]
• Summary of Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Response Activities [45 KB PDF]

Health Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

Have Sarasota County beaches been affected?

• No beaches or waters in Sarasota County are affected at this time.

Is it safe to eat seafood from Florida's waters?

• Eating seafood from Florida's coast [128KB PDF - Univ of Florida]
  Guide to store-bought seafood and how it is monitored for safety
• Do not fish in oil spill-affected waters.
• Do not harvest or eat dead fish, fish with oily residue or fish that have a petroleum odor.

What precautions should I take at an oiled beach or shoreline?

• Avoid entering areas where oil can be seen or smelled.
• Avoid direct skin contact with oil, oil-contaminated water and sediments.
• Do not swim or ski in areas affected by the oil spill, and if traveling through the area by boat, take precautions when hoisting the boat anchor. If oil makes contact with skin, wash it off with soap and water.
• Avoid boating through oil slicks or sheens.
• Young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, and individuals with underlying respiratory conditions should avoid the area.
• Prevent pets from entering oil-contaminated areas.

Can the oil spill cause breathing difficulties?
Those near Florida’s Gulf Coast may detect an odor because of the oil spill. Some people are more sensitive to these odors and may experience nasal irritation and feelings of nausea. In combination with seasonal allergies, such as sensitivity to pollen or pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, some people may experience more severe symptoms.  Those individuals experiencing symptoms are encouraged to stay indoors in air conditioning.  If symptoms do not improve, or if you have pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma or other respiratory illness), contact your health care provider.