No oil impacts from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill have been identified on the west coast of Florida; this includes the Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg/Clearwater beaches. The threat is “essentially zero” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Emergency Response Division. Tar balls are not unusual; however, there have been isolated occurrences, unrelated to the oil spill, in Pinellas County due to boat traffic or natural seepage. If you find a tar ball, the first thing to remember is to not pick it up. Direct contact with oil should be avoided. Some people are especially sensitive to chemicals and may have an allergic reaction or develop a rash in response to contact with oil. The next step is to report the tar ball to the National Response Center at (800) 424-8802 or dial #DEP from a cell phone for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

See the attached flyer for additional information on what to do if you find a tar ball.