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Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico: Health Related InformationTopics on this Page
OverviewPart of the federal government response to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is the monitoring of environmental conditions that might affect public health and the safety of seafood . What to Expect from the Oil Spill and How to Protect Your Health PDF - 35.7 KB (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Safety and Training of Oil Spill Response WorkersOil spill response workers may be exposed to many different chemical, physical, biological, and psychological hazards.
Employers should train oil spill response workers about their potential hazards and safe work practices to prevent and control these hazards. All workers should be provided with the appropriate tools, equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE) and protective clothing needed to perform their job tasks. Workers should be trained in the appropriate care and use of this equipment. PPE should be selected based on identification of the hazards, protective qualities (such as oil resistance) and suitability for the tasks performed. An occupational health and injury surveillance system should be put in place as soon as possible. The prompt reporting of injuries and illnesses should be emphasized.
Crude Oil and DispersantsFor most people, brief contact with small amounts of light crude oil and oil spill dispersants will do no harm. However, longer contact can cause a rash and dry skin. Dispersants can also irritate your eyes. Breathing or swallowing dispersants can also cause health effects. If you are concerned that you have been exposed to oil or dispersants, see your doctor.
Air Quality
If you smell gas or see smoke or know that fires are nearby, stay indoors, set your air conditioner to reuse indoor air, and avoid physical activities that put extra demands on your lungs and heart.
Water QualityDrinking water and household water are not expected to be affected by the spill. The closest drinking water intake in use in Southeastern Louisiana on the Mississippi River is 49 miles upstream from the mouth of the river. The oil is not expected to migrate that far upstream. The oil sheen is not expected to impact private wells. If you have any concerns about your water, you should contact your local water utility.
Water used for recreation may be affected. Swimming in water contaminated with chemicals from the oil spill could cause health effects. Follow local and state public health guidelines and warnings about the use of beaches and coastal water for swimming, boating, and fishing. For more information about beach safety, visit the Beach Status page. Food SafetyAlthough crude oil has the potential to taint seafood with flavors and odors caused by exposure to hydrocarbon chemicals, the public should not be concerned about the safety of seafood in stores at this time. There is no reason to believe that any contaminated product has made its way to the market. Federal and state officials are monitoring the waters from which seafood is harvested and will act to close areas contaminated by the oil spill to fishing and shellfish harvesting. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has the authority to close Federal waters to commercial fishing and states have the authority to close waters within the state 3-mile limit. NOAA has already closed a large area of the Gulf of Mexico to commercial fishing and some state molluscan shellfish beds have been closed in anticipation of the oil nearing the shoreline. Closely monitoring and, if warranted, closing harvest waters which could be exposed to the oil spill should prevent unsafe seafood from reaching the market. If, despite these steps, adulterated seafood is found on the market, both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the states have the authority to seize such products and remove them from the food supply. Fish and shellfish harvested from areas unaffected by the closures are considered safe to eat. Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Update (Food and Drug Administration) - Includes Q&As State Health-related Oil Spill InformationLouisiana: Oil Spill Resources Mississippi: Gulf Oil Spill Health Guidance and Information Alabama: Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill 2010 Florida: Deepwater Horizon Response More ResourcesFrequently Asked Questions (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - Answers to questions about harmful oil content, air content, harm to children, and more. ToxFAQs for Fuel Oils (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - Fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions about fuel oils. ToxFAQs for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - Fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions about total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH). Resources for Crude Oil Spills and Human Health (National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health) - Federal and state websites with information on exposure hazards related to oil spills and burning crude oil, fisheries contamination, and other oil spill-related information. |