Effects of exposure to oil spills on human health: Updated review

Abstract

Oil spills may involve health risks for people participating in the cleanup operations and coastal inhabitants, given the toxicological properties of the oil components. In spite of this, only after a few major oil spills (crude oil or fuel oil no. 6) have studies on effects of exposure to diverse aspects of human health been performed. Previously, Aguilera et al. (2010) examined all documents published to that date dealing with any type of human health outcome in populations exposed to oil spills. The aim of the present review was to compile all new information available and determine whether evidence reported supports the existence of an association between exposure and adverse human health risks. Studies were classified in three groups according to type of health outcome addressed: (i) effects on mental health, (ii) physical/physiological effects, and (iii) genotoxic, immunotoxic, and endocrine toxicity. New studies published on oil-spill-exposed populations-coastal residents in the vicinity of the spills or participants in cleanup operations-provide additional support to previous evidence on adverse health effects related to exposure regarding different parameters in all three categories considered. Some of the observed effects even indicated that several symptoms may persist for some years after exposure. Hence, (1) health protection in these individuals should be a matter of concern; and (2) health risk assessment needs to be carried out not only at the time of exposure but also for prolong periods following exposure, to enable early detection of any potential exposure-related harmful effects.

Mental health indicators associated with oil spill response and clean-up: cross-sectional analysis of the GuLF STUDY cohort

“…12 Individuals who participated in oil spill response and clean-up (OSRC) activities are a potentially high risk group. 17 These workers repeatedly witnessed the vast effects of the DHOS on the environment and had direct contact with hazardous chemicals typically found in oil, chemical dispersants, and cleaning solutions such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, 2-butoxyethanol, and propylene glycol, increasing risk for adverse health conditions (e.g., respiratory conditions, headaches) 6,7 that, in turn, could be associated with poor mental health. 7,18,19 Additionally, it is possible that the chemical exposures encountered through OSRC work may be neurotoxic and physical contact with these chemicals could have the potential to induce adverse mental health effects.…”

The GuLF STUDY: A Prospective Study of Persons Involved in the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Response and Clean-Up

“…OSRC workers who were Gulf coast residents may have been doubly affected because they may have encountered the same chemical/physical exposures in coastal residences as the OSRC workers experienced in their jobs (Savitz and Engel 2010). Additionally, major industries in the region were disrupted, resulting in job loss and reduced income for many residents in affected communities, possibly increasing emotional distress, domestic violence, and substance abuse (Aguilera et al 2010; Laffon et al 2016). …”

“…Potential health consequences of the crude oil, dispersant, and particulate exposures include respiratory, neurological, hepatic, renal, endocrine, hematological, and other systemic effects (Aguilera et al 2010; Laffon et al 2016). Of the 38 major reported oil spills before the DWH disaster, only 7 were studied for human health effects.…”

“…Studies with prospective data were generally small and had short follow-up. A number of the studies reported respiratory symptoms, including cough and shortness of breath, among exposed persons (Laffon et al 2016). In a follow-up study 1–2 years after exposure, clean-up workers (Zock et al 2007) had persistent though reduced excess risk of lower respiratory tract symptoms with evidence of increasing risk with increasing degree of exposure.…”

Development of a total hydrocarbon ordinal job-exposure matrix for workers responding to the Deepwater Horizon disaster: The GuLF STUDY

“…Studies of previous oil spills have identified a number of health effects including respiratory, dermal, hematologic, somatic, and mental health disturbances 1 , but had limited exposure data. The GuLF STUDY is investigating potential health effects from exposure to chemicals associated with crude oil, dispersants used to break up the oil, and burning oil.…”