What is up with the tar on Los Angeles beaches? Where is it from? Is it dangerous?

Question

And what is the best way to get it off your feet?

Answer 1

I don't know for sure where it comes from, but I do know that it is not new. I recall seeing it on Torrance beach in the late 1950s. I would think paint thinner would take it off.

Answer 2

The tar on the beach is a naturally occurring phenomenon.
Oil seeps through cracks in the ocean floor it rises to the top of the ocean.
Then the tides and currents take it to the beach.

To remove it try using Dawn.
It works on car grease so it should work on the tar.

Answer 3

I dont know, but I suggest that you keep away from it and report it to your local EPA or chemical waste experts to sample it and see if its naturaly occuring tar or is the result of pollution. Otherwise stay away from it for now, and don't swim in beaches where its water has not been tested by EPA chemists. Usually near the beach house or life guard office they have flyers with EPA data that approves it for swimming. You can ask them to look at the data determined by EPA chemists.

Answer 4

I bet its from the tar pits. I wouldn't think its dangerous. Stick your feet in freezing water until the tar freezes, then u can break it with a hammer. I know it sounds painful, but its that or dry ice and that stuff will burn ur skin off.

Answer 5

when you see those things, stay away from them

ocean should not have those things, they are most likely leaked out from ships, those oil wells, etc

if you see a lot of them you can call the enviorment department, however, there is no news about it, so it is probably just a minor accident

Answer 6

It`s from the off-shore drill rigs, and the stations that transfer the Oil to tankers.

It`s dangerous, and so is the mind-set that allows it.