Twenty-six sampling stations in Puerto Galera in Mindoro were found positive with oil and grease contaminants, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday, April 18. DOH Undersecretary and Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said that only nine out of the 35 sampling stations in Puerto Galera passed the water quality standards of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). “Nakitaan po natin na mataas ang contaminants for oil and average grease dito po sa mga lugar na sinasabi natin (We have found that there is high oil and average grease contaminants in these places),” said Vergeire during a press briefing. “These are 26 sites na nakitaan natin na hindi po nakapasa sa standards po ng (that did not pass the standards of the) DENR,” she added. The DOH did not identify the 26 areas. In a joint statement, DOH and DENR identified the nine sites that met the water quality standard: Small Lalaguna and Big Lalaguna Shoreline, Balete, Central Sabang Shoreline, Coco Beach, Batangas Channel, Paniquian, Balatero and West San Isidro Bay. In a brief statement, the DOH said the water quality result in Puerto Galera “is not conclusively related to the oil spill.” To recall, a tanker carrying 800,000 liters of industrial oil capsized off the coast of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro last February. The DOH issued a warning against water activities and consumption of water and seafood products in the affected areas in Puerto Galera. “In the interest of public health and safety, the DOH advises the public to exercise caution and refrain from consuming water from affected areas and when conducting water-related occupational  (e.g. fishing, seaweed farming) and recreational activities,” the joint statement read. “The public is also advised to avoid consumption of contaminated fish, shellfish, and other seafood products,” it added. Exposure to such contaminants may cause adverse health effects, the two agencies said. “For drinking water, the DOH reiterates that potable water should not have detectable levels of contaminants beyond the standards as these pose potential health hazards. Also, exposure to such contaminants may also cause various skin diseases such as rashes and blisters,” the statement read. “Oils and grease may also result in aspiration leading to respiratory diseases while ingestion will cause gastrointestinal irritations which may manifest acutely as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea,” it added.