Wednesday 20 November 2013
Media enquiry from Helen Devonshire, Guernsey Press:
We are following up the press release from 31 October regarding the white substance found at Saints Bay.
We are doing a follow up story to it and wondered if the substance had been identified after its analysis? The press release had information about a similar substance found in Cornwall which was most likely palm oil. Also if any more of it has been found locally and if there are any more warnings to the public to look out for it?
Environment Department response:
Staff at the States Analyst's Laboratory were unable to detect any substances which would be diagnostic in the identification of palm oil in the white substance found at Saints Bay. Therefore this is not the same material which was analysed in Cornwall. The States Analyst advised that the material appeared to comprise a mixture of hydrocarbons indicative of paraffin wax.
There were no further findings of the substance found at Saints Bay around the coast. Nevertheless, given the quantities washed up in south west England the Department would ask that the public remains vigilant, especially when walking dogs on beaches and restrain them from eating any similar waxy substance. Anyone finding similar material on a beach is asked to report the location to the Environment Services Unit on 717200 during office hours.
ENDS
