---
title: "Russian Surfers Say Mysterious Pollution Is Poisoning Them"
description: "Surfers in Kamchatka, Russia are reporting that the ocean water is leaving them with poisoning-like symptoms, as CBS News reports. “For several weeks now, all surfers have experienced problems with their eyes after returning from the water,” Yekaterina Dyba, a geographer who runs the Snowave Kamchatka surfing school, wrote on social media, as […]"
date: "2020-10-06"
modified: "2020-10-06"
authors:
  - name: "Victor Tangermann"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/russian-surfers-mysterious-pollution-poisoning"
categories:
  - "Environment"
  - "Pollution"
  - "Science & Energy"
tags:
  - "ocean pollution"
  - "pollution"
  - "Russia"
  - "the digest"
---

# Russian Surfers Say Mysterious Pollution Is Poisoning Them

![Surfers in Kamchatka, Russia are reporting that the ocean water is leaving them with poisoning-like symptoms, including nausea, weakness, and high fever.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/russian-surfers-mysterious-pollution-poisoning.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Greenpeace Russia\</em\>*

## Blurred Vision

Surfers in Kamchatka, Russia are reporting that the ocean water is leaving them with poisoning-like symptoms, [*CBS News* reports](<https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-surfers-ocean-pollution-poison-killing-animals/>).

"For several weeks now, all surfers have experienced problems with their eyes after returning from the water," Yekaterina Dyba, a geographer who runs the Snowave Kamchatka surfing school, wrote on social media, as translated by *CBS*. "White shroud, blurred vision, dryness. Sore throat. Many had nausea, weakness, high fever."

Various wildlife, including octopuses, fish, and shellfish have also been affected, washing up dead in the thousands on shores. Greenpeace Russia [called it](<https://www.instagram.com/p/CF4VB-EFH1l/?utm_source=ig_embed>) an "ecological disaster."

## Phenol Poisoning

According to the region's acting Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology Aleksei Kumarkov, the presence of petroleum and toxic phenols exceeded safe levels by about four times.

But it's still unclear what the exact source of pollution is. Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov told the press that authorities are still waiting on test results. Last week, officials blamed the dying sea life on stormy weather, according to *CBS*.

Russian state media suggests it [could've been an oil tanker](<https://tass.com/emergencies/1208217>) that leaked as it was making its way through the Bering Strait between Alaska and Russia.

## Search is On

Despite the Defense Ministry denying that any of their ships could've been involved, Russian media also didn't rule out the military being the cause of the contamination.

Russian ecology minister Dmitry Kobylkin announced on Tuesday that there will be two water tests near two military testing sites, citing a "yellow film" on a local river, [*The Guardian* reports](<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/05/marine-poisoning-in-kamchatka-russia-may-be-rocket-fuel-leak>).

"Early tomorrow morning there will be inspections of two key test sites that are raising everyone’s concerns," he said.

**READ MORE:** [Russian surfers say mystery ocean pollution is poisoning them and killing animals](<https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-surfers-ocean-pollution-poison-killing-animals/>) \[*CBS News*\]

**More on water pollution and wildlife:** *[Shark Teeth & Skin Dissolved by Pollution, Scientists Say](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/pollution-dissolved-sharks-teeth-skin>)*

## Author
I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/vtanger.bsky.social>)