HOUSTON – Crews with the Shoreline Department will be out monitoring beaches along the Texas Gulf coast as small tar balls have been found along the shoreline.
Officials said these tar balls are common during this time of the year.
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What is it?
Tar is a natural occurrence caused by oil that seeps from the floor in the Gulf of America, officials said.
This happens seasonally and is typically due to increased temperature, currents, and tidal influences.
What to do if you make contact
If you come in contact with tar, washing the area with dish soap or baby oil is an effective way to remove it. Property owners choosing to set up tar cleaning stations should do so without impacting the beach.
The Texas General Land Office’s Oil Spill Division and the US Coast Guard were made aware of the situation and are monitoring.
City entities impacted by the tar balls will also be working closely with the Shoreline Department