ILOILO City – Harsh fumes from the bunker fuel that spilled from a power barge in Barangay Bo. Obrero, Lapuz district pose serious health threats, the Department of Health (DOH) Center for Health Development in Western Visayas cautioned coastal residents adversely affected by the July 3 oil spill.
“Affected families and individuals in Bo. Obrero and nearby areas are advised to stay away from the area especially if oil is evident,” according to Dr. May Ann Soliva-Sta. Lucia, head of DOH-6’s health emergency management staff.
The latest Philippine Coast Guard estimate of the volume of bunker oil that spilled out of the ruptured tank of AC Energy’s power barge in Bo. Obrero was at 251,000 liters, reaching as far as Guimaras’ coastal barangays and the northern coastal towns of Leganes and Dumangas in Iloilo province.
As of July 8, the number of families in Barangay Bo. Obrero adversely affected by the oil spill reached 255, according to the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
These 255 families were made up of 931 individuals who temporarily moved to four evacuation centers. Sta. Lucia urged the public to avoid eating fish, shellfish and other seafood from areas with oily residue or seafood with petroleum odor.
Sta. Lucia listed negative health effects of spilled bunker oil. These were the following:
* Prolonged contact may cause skin reddening, edema and burning
* Effects on skin may worsen by subsequent exposure to UV rays from the sun
* Repeated exposure may cause upper respiratory tract conditions
* Nasal irritation and nausea may be experience
* Acute inhalation may lead to euphoria, vertigo, headache and chest pain
According to Sta. Lucia, the top three leading causes of health complaints in evacuation centers were difficulty of breathing, nasal congestion and sore throat.
The DOH-6 also presented ways to cope up with the oil spill. These were the following:
* Stay away from the area when you see or smell oil on the beach
* Stays indoors in an air-conditioned area and avoid strenuous outdoor activity
* Do not swim in areas affected by the oil spill
* Avoid contact with sediment, sand, soil, or outdoor/indoor surfaces with visible oil contamination
* Do not use oil-contaminated water for human or animal consumption
* Do not fish in oil spill-affected waters
* Do not eat fish, shellfish and other seafood from the area with oily residue or fish that has petroleum odor
* Prevent pets from entering oil-contaminated areas
* Wash skin which has come in contact with oil-contaminated water, with soap and water
* Consult the doctor if symptoms do not improve
For responders and clean-u workers:
* wear protective gear like gowns, gloves, boots and goggles
* dispose used gloves properly
* wash oiled clothing and goggles after each clean-up operation
To ensure health and nutrition of affected residents, the DOH-6 also forwarded recommendations to the City Health Office. These were the following:
For pregnant women
* Ensure ready emergency transport vehicle
* If possible pregnant women should have another venue where they can be protected from COVID-19
* Ensure their pre-natal package is provided
* Provision of malong to mothers
For women with partners but are not pregnant
* Ensure prepositioning of family planning commodities
* Informed consent and volunteerism when counseling and providing family planning methods
* Pregnancy tests kit should be made available
For adolescents
* Ensure safety from abuse or rape
* Separate toilets and bath for boys and girls or 1 room per family
* Ensure adequate lighting
* Set-up a safe space by setting up a women and child protection desk (to be coordinated with PNP)
For senior citizens
* Provide flu vaccination
* Remind seniors on their maintenance medicines
* If possible senior citizens to be accommodated on lower floor to prevent falls from stairs an slipping from wet area
* Regular check-ups for senior –BP blood, sugar check-up
For Children
* Restrict movement outside
* Injury prevention for children-adult supervision at all times
* Anticipation and management of communicable diseases
* Prevention of abuse
* Good hygiene practices
* Immunization
For infants
* Triage, check exposure, database immunization review at heath center
According to Sta. Lucia, adverse health effects from harsh fumes of spilled bunker oil can be avoided if warnings are diligently heeded
She assured health protocols such as physical distancing are enforced in evacuation centers to prevent transmission of coronavirus disease 2019./PN
