Iloilo residents return home after oil spill

Residents that were evacuated from the town of Iloilo in the Philippines due to an oil spill in Barangay Botongon have been allowed to return to their homes. Weeks after the spill, officials have declared the area is once again safe for residents.

The large spill was caused when a barge was damaged by the super typhoon Yolanda. Around 1.4 million litres of bunker fuel were loaded onto the barge before the typhoon hit, causing damage and the release of around 900,000 litres of the fuel into the sea off the coast of Iloilo. #

When many residents were seeking to repair damage done to their homes by the super storm, they were instead evacuated to a number of different centres. The main concern to the health of those in the area was the impact the spilled bunker fuel had upon air quality.

Benzene content in the air, which can result in dizziness, drowsiness and unconsciousness, was found by the Department of Health (DOH) to measure around 16.9 parts per million. Safe limits of airborne benzene are around 0.5 parts per million.

A team from the DOH, East Avenue Medical Center-Poison Control Unit and the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Western Visayas, reported that the benzene levels in the air were now safe, measuring at almost zero parts per billion and the levels of hydrogen sulphide in the water had been reduced to safe levels due to clean-up efforts.

Residents will now be able to return to their homes and carry out any necessary repairs to properties following typhoon Yolanda, which struck the Philippines on November 8th. Displaced residents will receive aid from the local government of Iloilo in the form of temporary shelter. Financial assistance and relief packs will also be given to affected families.

Families who do not have a home to return to are being advised to remain at the evacuation centres until preparations for alternative housing can be made for them.

Clean-up efforts are still ongoing and will continue until all the spilled oil is recovered from the water. It is expected that work will continue for another two to three months.