STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New York City residents have been alerted to sightings of 1- to 2-inch tar balls on Fort Wadsworth beaches that have prompted an oil spill cleanup.
Coast Guard Sector of New York personnel spotted tar balls along Fort Wadsworth beaches. And, at 5:15 p.m. on Friday, Notify NYC issued an alert on the situation, notifying residents of the sightings and telling them to “expect oil spill removal organization personnel to be cleaning up along the beach front.”
WHAT ARE TAR BALLS AND ARE THEY HAZARDOUS?
Tar balls are “little, dark-colored pieces of oil” that are either remnants of oil spills, or produced from natural seeps, spots where oil gradually escapes from the earth’s surface above petroleum reservoirs, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
When floating upon the ocean surface, the oil undergoes weathering, a series of various physical, chemical, and biological processes which alter the appearance of the oil, according to the NOAA.
The result is a sticky, small oil patch that’s crusty on the outside and gooey on the inside.
As of the time of publication, there was no threat to wildlife, according to a spokeswoman with the Coast Guard Sector of New York.
Generally, brief contact with a small amount of oil, while not recommended, poses no harm to individuals, according to NOAA. However, those sensitive to chemicals may experience a negative allergic reaction or rashes even from brief contact.
If contact does occur, the NOAA advises washing skin with soap and water, baby oil, or a widely used, safe cleaning compound.
The Coast Guard spokeswoman confirmed that pollution responders are heading to the scene for a cleanup and are seeking to identify the source of the tar balls.
TAR BALLS ON THE JERSEY SHORE
The Coast Guard and other agencies have recently been investigating the source of tar balls appearing along the Jersey Shore, NJ.com reported.
The tar balls were discovered over an approximately six-mile…
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