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Officials in Long Beach shut down a stretch of coastline Wednesday from 1st Place through 72nd Place after “tar balls” began washing up on shore.

The tar balls were creating a public and environmental health concern, according to a news release from the Long Beach Fire Department.

Representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard were on the scene collecting samples for further testing, the release stated.

Testing was also underway to determine if there was a link between the Santa Barbara oil spill and the recent incidents involving tar balls off Southland beaches.

Beachgoers were advised to stay away from areas where tar was present.

Contact with oil tars may cause skin irritation and long-term health effects, the release stated.

All future reports of oil debris were to be directed to the National Response Center (NRC) Hotline at 1-800-424-8802.