San Francisco Oil Spill 2007

Last updated: Tue Apr 22 12:28:44 PDT 2008

NOTE: this information is now out of date. The EPA is offering oil spill cleanup training and giving people who pass the 5 hour seminar a badge that identifies them as a certified volunteer. You should take this training before doing any cleanup work. Thanks to whoever finally got them to offer this training.

While the oil is partially cleaned up, it still washes up during storms. I only keep the below for historical purposes or in the awful case it is needed again.

A ship hit the Bay Bridge, losing its fuel all over the bay. You can find the latest news on this spill at the SF Chronicle. Volunteers were being turned away, but some of us have decided to do what we can anyway (safely). By my count and others, there were at least 500 people out at Ocean Beach at one point today. I hope my experience can inform you if you do the same.

You can read more about volunteer efforts at Kill the Spill and MatterOfTrust. I'm not affiliated with either group but am a Surfrider member.

Disclaimer

I am not an expert on the health effects of oil. I am merely a volunteer who read up on the situation, planned carefully, and went prepared. I came back with only one spot of oil on me that I washed off before leaving the beach. If you have health problems, especially respiratory, or any other concerns, don't help out. I am not responsible for any way you use the below information.

What equipment should I bring?

Outfit

Disposable paint suit: the Tyvek suits are the best, but I wore a cheaper suit that worked fine
Disposable paint booties: definitely bring these or you'll be throwing your shoes away. They cover your shoes and protect them from oiled sand but are not waterproof so don't go in the oily water.
Nitrile gloves: do not use latex gloves as they will break down in the presence of oil or fuel. I got some nitrile gardening gloves for $2.99 at Ace that were long, covering my forearms.
Duct tape: tape glove opening closed and suit to booties to prevent sand from getting in between
Old clothes and shoes: just in case the above aren't perfect, wear old clothes. Boots (especially rubber) are preferable to tennis shoes.

Some tools may be provided by other volunteers, but try to bring your own. If you have extra left over, leave the rest for other volunteers. Cole Hardware has offered some discounts on these items to volunteers.

Tools

Cat poop scooper: bunker fuel clumps when cold, like soft tar. Larger clumps can be filtered from the sand.
Hair mat: helps for blotting oil once it "melts" in the sun or for picking up the smaller clumps. Provided by MatterOfTrust.org.
Contractor's trash bags (3 mil): thicker than regular trash bags and less likely to tear

Do not touch oil with your bare hands! Use a tool (scooper or mat) and always wear nitrile gloves. It's important not to get your feet wet with oily water so wear rubber boots if possible and don't go in the water. Otherwise it's the same as touching the oil with your bare hands.

A respirator is not needed. The fumes on Sunday (5 days after the spill) while squatting down next to the sand were about equivalent to hot asphalt on a summer day or standing at a gas pump. If you have respiratory trouble and think that would be a problem, stay away.

What's the best strategy for cleaning the sand?

Other people may have different opinions here. This worked well for me.

1. Finding the oil

The best place to look is along the waterline. There's no need to go in the water itself or run back and forth with the surge. Just look for the white foam that settles on the beach as the water recedes. There you'll see the latest round of oil deposits. If you don't see any, spread out from other people and head away or closer to the water.

2. Identifying the oil

The oil has a number of states. When it first washes up from the water (especially at dawn or dusk), it looks like a shiny black rock or leaf. Wave action can pulverize these chunks, creating what looks like a bunch of small rocks. If these chunks are big enough, the kitty litter scooper works well to separate it from the sand. The mat also works well on these chunks, especially if they're smaller or are melting.

After sitting on the warm sand for a while, it starts to "melt". Shiny rainbow slicks ooze out from the chunk, making it easier to see. It also gets softer and is more easily absorbed by the mat. Don't let it go too long or it will mix in with the sand.

3. Using the mat

The best strategy for using the mat was as follows. First, fold it in half twice (fourths) so you're working with a small square at a time. Lightly drag it across the sand while softly and periodically pressing it with your hand (blotting). Don't drag it too deeply or you'll bury the oil. Once one side is 75% covered in the oil/sand, refold it to expose a fresh area.

4. Discarding waste

Don't ever put oil waste in ordinary garbage cans. Ask other volunteers where the hazardous waste pickup point is. At Ocean Beach, there are special yellow cans for this. If you're part of a larger group, there's often a pile of trash bags with a later pickup arranged. Do not start work if you have not figured out what the proper disposal location is.

What do I do about birds?

If you spot an oiled bird, try to get a ranger or contact OWCN at 415-701-2311 (see this page for more contact info). Try not to approach or scare birds that are around the clean-up area.

Kids or dogs also?

Leave the dogs at home. You definitely do not want to try to scrub thick tar out of their fur. Older kids might be ok. I saw some out today. Just make sure they're protected as well as you protect yourself.

What is bunker fuel?

Bunker fuel is one of the final byproducts of the petroleum production process. It's dirty, sticky, heavy -- more like tar than gas. It is so thick that it has to be heated before it can be burned.

There are two ways to experience the toxicity of bunker fuel: skin contact and breathing. Skin contact can be avoided by wearing proper attire. Bunker fuel is a carcinogen, causing tumors after prolonged skin contact. Breathing the fumes can also cause the same problems as gas -- shortness of breath, burning sensation, headache, etc.

Your car motor oil also is full of carcinogens once it's black and needs to be changed. You might not know it, but your used motor oil often ends up mixed with bunker fuel for use on ships. Mechanics are now careful to wear gloves and avoid contact with used motor oil. After taking off your protective clothes, be sure to clean up with a hand cleaner like Fast Orange or GoJo and wash with soap and water. If you follow the same precautions, skin contact isn't likely to be a problem.

Since the oil spill happened November 7, 2007, most of the volatile compounds that cause fumes have evaporated from the oil. There is a mild scent, like hot asphalt, near the beach, but the open air and relatively small amount of oil on the beach means the danger of fumes is limited. I spent a half day out there and did not feel lightheaded or get a headache. Pay attention to how you feel and get out if you don't feel well.

What about health complaints by volunteers in Spain?

Some have raised the objection that the volunteers cleaning up after the horrible Prestige spill in Spain in 2002 experienced respiratory problems. However, that spill was at least 20 million gallons versus the Cosco Busan's claimed 58 thousand gallons, a difference of more than 300 times!

Respiratory problems would also be related to breathing in volatile compounds, something which disappears more and more as each day passes. If this still concerns you, don't volunteer.