Heading to a Gulf Coast beach this summer? Local pediatrician Joseph Kahn (pictured at right) shares some oil spill health tips and answers whether he'd hit the beach this summer.

When it comes to oil washing onshore, public health experts are concerned about two things -- air quality and physical contact with oil, said Joseph Kahn, chairman of the department of pediatrics at St. John's Mercy Children's Hospital.

"If people are on a beach and smell oil and feel light-headed, nauseous or have a headache, these are symptoms of an inhalation injury. You should get off the beach and get inside," Kahn said. It should be reassuring to families that the Centers for Disease Control is reporting that they do not expect the vapors from the oil to be at harmful levels.

"In terms of swimming or walking on the beach, people should try to avoid contact with oil," he said. If you do get oil on your body, wash the area with soap and water, Dr. Kahn said. Also, be sure to thoroughly wash your hands before eating and launder all clothing that comes into contact with oil.

Currently, oil is washing up on some gulf beaches as "tarballs," small globs of oil that wash onto beaches and melt into an oozy substance. At many beaches, officials have been removing the tarballs daily to keep beaches clean and open. "If the beach is cleaned up, it should be safe," Kahn said.

When asked if he'd visit a gulf beach today, Kahn said, "Frankly, if I had a Gulf vacation planned within the next few weeks, and if I could be assured the place I was going was clean, I'd go."

Kahn urged families to obey any public health warnings posted along the coast.

Photo Caption: President Barack Obama and Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolf, left, inspect a tar ball as they look at the effect the BP oil spill is having on Fourchon Beach in Port Fourchon, La., May 28, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

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