Some seeking shelter sent to hospital

MARSHALL TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - No one was staying at the American Red Cross oil spill shelter set up outside Marshall as of 6 p.m. Thursday -- but that's at least in part because, in nurse Kathy Ledebuhr's words "they're all coming to us sick, and that's scary."

The area Red Cross nursing chair said she sent two people to Oaklawn Hospital on Thursday and one to urgent care in Battle Creek.

"I've talked to all the medical facilities now and they are prepared to take my people," Ledebuhr said. "We've set the relationship up."

People living near the spill have contaminated clothes, she said, and the Red Cross probably will have to throw away cots that people have used.

"We'll get rid of the blankets, we'll get rid of the pillows," Ledebuhr said.

However, Red Cross officials stressed anyone who needs assistance is more than welcome. Donated clothing items are available, along with showers. The organization is happy to help anyone who wants to come in.

Ledebuhr said health officials have told her Dawn dish soap -- the soap used to clean affected wildlife -- can be used to clean the oil from human skin.

"The clothing, it's got to a be a detergent that's a de-greaser, a de-oiler," the nurse said. "You've got to get the oil out."