Summerland Beach Oil Prompts Health Warning and Beach Closure

**UPDATE**

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has re-opened Summerland Beach to the public. Oil and odors have decreased due to tide activity and natural processes. “Immediate health concerns have diminished,” said the Public Health Department.

Public Health will continue to monitor the oil situation at Summerland Beach, and recommends that people and animals avoid exposure to crude oil compounds and strong odors.

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The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department announced the closure of Summerland Beach and released the following statement:

Beginning immediately, Summerland Beach is closed to the public to prevent adverse health effects and protect the public’s health. The decision to close the beach at this time was due to the volume of oil on the beach and sand, the nature of the oil (more liquid and mixed in the water and across sand as opposed to solid tar balls which are more easily avoidable) and intermittent strong petroleum odors at a level that may cause health effects.

Summerland Beach will continue to be monitored by various County agencies including Public Health, Parks, and Air Pollution Control District. Monitoring of air, land and ocean conditions will continue. The cause of the oily substance at Summerland Beach is not yet clear. This is not believed to be directly related to the Refugio 901 incident. Further testing and analysis will continue over the next few weeks.

At this time, it is not clear when the beach will re-open to visitors. The beach closure may continue throughout the weekend. The public is reminded that avoiding exposure to crude oil compounds is strongly recommended.
Summerland Beach is located adjacent to the Santa Barbara County Lookout Park. It extends eastward towards Loon Point.

Senior Reporter John Palminteri will have a live report on NewsChannel 3 this evening.

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From the Santa Barbara County Health Department:

The Public Health Department has identified strong petroleum odors along with significant amounts of oil in the water and oil on the beach at Summerland Beach that may pose short-term health impacts. Our concern first and foremost is for the public’s health. The public is urged to limit exposure to odors and oily substances in the water or land.

Exposure to oil may occur by breathing oil vapors, getting the oil on your skin, or ingesting crude oil through contaminated sea water or seafood. Depending on the level of exposure, breathing crude oil vapors may cause coughing and throat irritation, headache and nausea, drowsiness, or dizziness. Skin and eye contact may cause irritation and redness. If you do get crude oil or tarballs on your skin, it is recommended that the area be washed with soap and water as soon as possible. Some people may be more sensitive to these the chemical components of crude oil compounds than others, and avoiding exposure is recommended.

Summerland Beach is located beneath the Santa Barbara County Lookout Park. It extends eastward towards Loon Point.

The cause of the oily substance at Summerland Beach is not yet clear. This is not believed to be directly related to the Refugio 901 incident. Further testing and analysis will continue over the next few weeks. In the interim, we strongly advise the public to be observant of conditions at the beach and avoid close proximity to the beach when there is a strong odor and/or large amounts of an oily substance present.

Reporter John Palminteri is on the scene. He reports via Twitter the oil is not tar balls. Check back for further updates.