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In June 2010, at the request of the [[US Department of Health and Human Services]], the [[United States National Academies|U.S. National Academies]] [[Institute of Medicine]] held a workshop to discuss known health effects of previous previous oil spills and how they might apply to the Gulf spill and to coordinate epidemiological monitoring and ongoing medical research. The researchers and health officials said that "samples such as cord blood, breast milk, blood and saliva should be collected from people living in the Gulf Coast region as soon as possible, to help to establish baseline data." On the second day of the meeting the suicide of William Allen Kruse, a charter boat captain working as a BP clean-up worker, intensified previous expert commentary on the current and likely long-term mental health effects of the ongoing crisis.<ref name=usatoday260610/> David Abramson, director of research for Columbia's National Center for Disaster Preparedness, noted the increased risk of mental disorders and stress-related health problems.<ref name="AutoBB-234"/> In August, the group released their conclusions in a report, "Workshop Summary: Assessing the Effects of the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill on Human Health".<ref name=nap12949/> |
In June 2010, at the request of the [[US Department of Health and Human Services]], the [[United States National Academies|U.S. National Academies]] [[Institute of Medicine]] held a workshop to discuss known health effects of previous previous oil spills and how they might apply to the Gulf spill and to coordinate epidemiological monitoring and ongoing medical research. The researchers and health officials said that "samples such as cord blood, breast milk, blood and saliva should be collected from people living in the Gulf Coast region as soon as possible, to help to establish baseline data." On the second day of the meeting the suicide of William Allen Kruse, a charter boat captain working as a BP clean-up worker, intensified previous expert commentary on the current and likely long-term mental health effects of the ongoing crisis.<ref name=usatoday260610/> David Abramson, director of research for Columbia's National Center for Disaster Preparedness, noted the increased risk of mental disorders and stress-related health problems.<ref name="AutoBB-234"/> In August, the group released their conclusions in a report, "Workshop Summary: Assessing the Effects of the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill on Human Health".<ref name=nap12949/> |
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In 2011 the [[Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans|Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center]] did a study to compare the acute health impacts of the Gulf oil spill with the acute health impacts reported from previous oil spills to predict health impacts in Louisiana as compared with the health impacts reported from prior crude oil spills. The study reported that "Acute health effects in cleanup workers mirrored those reported in cleanup workers following prior oil spills as ranked by systems (and by symptoms)." The study advised that affected individuals "will require long-term surveillance for chronic adverse health effects including cancer, liver and kidney diseases, mental health disorders, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders."<ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21466025</ref> |
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===National Institutes of Health study=== |
===National Institutes of Health study=== |
Revision as of 23:26, 17 July 2013
This article is part of a series about the |
Deepwater Horizon oil spill |
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The Health consequences of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill are health effects related to the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010. An oil discharge continued for 84 days, resulting in the largest oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry, estimated at approximately 206 million gallons (4.9 million barrels). The spill exposed thousands of area residents and cleanup workers to risks associated with oil fumes, particulate matter from controlled burns, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals.[1]
The spill was also notable for the volume of Corexit oil dispersant used to help disperse the oil. Although EPA-approved, at the time of its use no toxicology studies had been done. In 2011, a toxicology study was done and it reported 57 chemicals in the ingredients including chemicals associated with cancer, skin irritation from rashes to burns, eye irritation, potential respiratory toxins or irritants; and kidney toxins.[2]
At the height of operations (summer of 2010), response vessels numbered about 7,000 and personnel numbered over 47,000; as of January 2013, that figure has dropped to about 935. The maximum extent of shoreline oiling involved almost 1,100 miles of shoreline and as of December 2012, approximately 339 miles of oiled shoreline remained subject to evaluation and/or cleanup operations.[3]
Acute toxicity symptoms have been reported and the study of long-term medical and psychological effects is ongoing.[1] As the largest marine oil spill in history, the potential for physical, psychological, and socioeconomic difficulties remains unknown. Considering the number of residents and clean-up workers exposed, it has been seen as the most demanding on-water response in U.S. history. Only a few studies have looked at long-term health consequences, but judging from what is known, it is assumed that the spill's impacts are wide-reaching and will have long-lasting effects.[1]
Early reports of health effects
People can be exposed to the chemicals in oil by breathing them, by swallowing them, or by touching them. Previous studies show consistent evidence of acute toxic effects, mainly neurological, ocular (eye), and respiratory, of those living in exposed communities and among clean-up workers.[1] While the spill was ongoing the CDC reported that some residents along the coast reported smelling odors and experiencing nausea, headaches, and eye, nose, and throat irritation, however the CDC said that their tests found that air quality levels for ozone and particulates were normal on the Gulf coastline for that time of year and odor-causing pollutants associated with petroleum products were being found at low levels."[4]
By 21 June 2010, 143 oil spill exposure cases had been reported to the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals; 108 of those cases involved workers in the clean-up efforts, while 35 were reported by gulf residents.[5] Writing in The Nation, Antonia Juhasz reported that according to the health departments of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, from June to September 2010, when they stopped keeping track, more than 700 people sought health services with complaints “believed to be related to exposure to pollutants from the oil spill.” However, she believed the number to be much higher because in her numerous interviews covering over two years, most people did "not know to report their symptoms as related to the oil spill, nor did their physicians ask."[6]
In August 2011, The Government Accountability Project (GAP) began a survey of the health effects of the oil spill on cleanup workers. Reports included "eye, nose and throat irritation; respiratory problems; blood in urine, vomit and rectal bleeding; seizures; nausea and violent vomiting episodes that last for hours; skin irritation, burning and lesions; short-term memory loss and confusion; liver and kidney damage; central nervous system effects and nervous system damage; hypertension; and miscarriages". Cleanup workers claimed to have been threatened with termination when requesting respirators, because it would “look bad in media coverage,” or they were told that respirators were unnecessary, as Corexit was “as safe as Dawn dishwashing soap”. Cleanup workers and residents reported being sprayed directly with Corexit, with skin lesions and blurred eyesight as the result. Dr. James Diaz, writing for the American Journal of Disaster Medicine, said these ailments appearing in the Gulf reflected those reported after previous oil spills, like the Exxon Valdez. Diaz warned that "chronic adverse health effects, including cancers, liver and kidney disease, mental health disorders, birth defects and developmental disorders should be anticipated among sensitive populations and those most heavily exposed". Diaz also believes neurological disorders should be expected.[6]
Scientific evidence
Although the spill has resulted in anecdotal evidence of sickness experienced by coastal residents and workers involved in the cleanup, scientific evidence has been scant. The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico differed from previous spills in that the leak was at the ocean floor rather than on the surface and the volumn of oil spilled and the amount of dispersant used was unprecedented. The Louisiana state health officer stated, "This is more than a spill. This is ongoing leakage of a chemical, and adding chemicals to stop the chemicals. We're feeling like we're in a research lab."[7][8]Moreover, the proximity to populated communities, the number of potentially exposed workers and community members, and the duration of the spill were far greater than any previously studied oil spills. Of more than 40 prior major oil spills, only 8 led to studies of health effects and only two of them included any long-term follow-up.[9]
In June 2010, at the request of the US Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. National Academies Institute of Medicine held a workshop to discuss known health effects of previous previous oil spills and how they might apply to the Gulf spill and to coordinate epidemiological monitoring and ongoing medical research. The researchers and health officials said that "samples such as cord blood, breast milk, blood and saliva should be collected from people living in the Gulf Coast region as soon as possible, to help to establish baseline data." On the second day of the meeting the suicide of William Allen Kruse, a charter boat captain working as a BP clean-up worker, intensified previous expert commentary on the current and likely long-term mental health effects of the ongoing crisis.[10] David Abramson, director of research for Columbia's National Center for Disaster Preparedness, noted the increased risk of mental disorders and stress-related health problems.[11] In August, the group released their conclusions in a report, "Workshop Summary: Assessing the Effects of the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill on Human Health".[1]
In 2011 the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center did a study to compare the acute health impacts of the Gulf oil spill with the acute health impacts reported from previous oil spills to predict health impacts in Louisiana as compared with the health impacts reported from prior crude oil spills. The study reported that "Acute health effects in cleanup workers mirrored those reported in cleanup workers following prior oil spills as ranked by systems (and by symptoms)." The study advised that affected individuals "will require long-term surveillance for chronic adverse health effects including cancer, liver and kidney diseases, mental health disorders, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders."[12]
National Institutes of Health study
In 2011, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched the "Gulf Long-term Follow-up Study" through the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. As the largest, most comprehensive study of long-term health effects from an oil spill, it will collect health data on cleanup workers and track them for at least 5 years. The team will look at long-term problems such as cancer, birth defects, and psychosocial issues. Dale Sandler, chief epidemiologist for the National Institutes of Health, said she is working to design a study that draws the strongest possible corollaries, even if absolute causation is not possible to determine: "I want to be able to say that workers who did this particular job are more likely to suffer this particular consequence."[13][14]
Chemical poisoning
Speaking about the dispersant Corexit, toxicologist and marine biologist Riki Ott noted, "The dispersants used in BP's draconian experiment contain solvents, such as petroleum distillates and 2-butoxyethanol. Solvents dissolve oil, grease, and rubber. It should be no surprise that solvents are also notoriously toxic to people, something the medical community has long known".[15] Ott explained that the chemicals "evaporate in air and are easily inhaled, they penetrate skin easily, and they cross the placenta into fetuses. For example, 2-butoxyethanol is a human health hazard substance; it is a fetal toxin and it breaks down blood cells, causing blood and kidney disorders". Louisianan's Governor Bobby Jindal said those impacted will be compensated by BP.[16]
See also
- Environmental impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
- Economic and political consequences of the Deepwater Horizon disaster
References
- ^ a b c d e McCoy, Margaret A.; Salerno, Judith A. (2010). Assessing the Effects of the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill on Human Health: A Summary of the June 2010 Workshop (2010). The National Academies Press. pp. ?, 43, 50. ISBN 978-0-309-15781-0.
- ^ Foster, Joanna M. (26 August 2011). "Impact of Gulf Spill's Underwater Dispersants Is Examined". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
- ^ Ramseur, Jonathan L.; Hagerty, Curry L. (31 January 2013). Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Recent Activities and Ongoing Developments (PDF) (Report). CRS Report for Congress. Congressional Research Service. R42942. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
- ^ "Odors from the BP Oil Spill". EPA. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
- ^ "Louisiana DHH Releases Oil Spill-Related Exposure Information". Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals(DHH). 14 June 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-16.
- ^ a b Juhasz, Antonia (18 April 2012). "Investigation: Two Years After the BP Spill, A Hidden Health Crisis Festers". The Nation. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
- ^ Mascarelli, Amanda (24 June 2010). "Oil-spill health risks under scrutiny". Nature. Retrieved 2010-06-24.
- ^ "Assessing the Human Health Effects of the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill: An Institute of Medicine Workshop". Institute of Medicine. Retrieved 2010-06-24. Presentations online
- ^ http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/atniehs/labs/epi/studies/gulfstudy/
- ^ Kelly, Brian (26 June 2010). "Boat captain's suicide shows human toll of Gulf oil disaster". USA Today. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
- ^ Pouliot, Karlie (24 June 2010). "Mental Health Fallout From Oil Spill Just Beginning". Fox News. Retrieved 2010-06-24.
- ^ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21466025
- ^ Barrow, Bill (14 November 2011). "Health study of BP oil spill under way". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
- ^ "A long term health study for oil spill clean-up workers and volunteers". GuLF Study. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
- ^ "Eyeless shrimp and mutant fish raise concerns over BP spill effects". Fox News. 7 April 2010. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
- ^ Jamail, Dahr (20 April 2012). "BP blamed for ongoing health problems". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 15 July 2013.