Gulf Oil Spill Health Hazards
Dr. Michael Harbut, Karmanos Cancer Institute
Dr. Kathleen Burns, Sciencecorps
Many people will be exposed to airborne and waterborne chemicals as a result
of the BP Gulf of Mexico spill. It is important to understand the potential
toxic effects and take appropriate steps to prevent or reduce exposure and
harm.
Crude Oil Fact Sheet
Crude oil contains hundreds of chemicals, comprised primarily of hydrogen
and carbon (e.g., simple straight chain paraffins, aromatic ring structures,
naphthenes), with some sulfur, nitrogen, metal, and oxygen compounds (see
Table D-1 in CDC, 1999 linked below). Crude oil composition varies slightly
by its source, but its toxic properties are fairly consistent. Chemicals
such as benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are very toxic
components of crude oil and of high concern. These and other chemicals are
volatile, moving from the oil into air. Once airborne, they blow over the
ocean for miles, reaching communities far from the oil spill. They can be
noticed as petroleum odors. Those working on the spill and people far from
it can be exposed to crude oil chemicals in air.
We have prepared 1 page summaries for the public and for workers. You can
download and print them.
www.sciencecorps.org/crudeoilhazards-public.pdf
www.sciencecorps.org/crudeoilhazards-workers.pdf
Chemicals being applied to the water, such as dispersants, are also of
concern. We don't have chemical composition details at this time, so can't
provide information on health hazards, beyond noting that most are reported
to contain petroleum distillates, which pose health hazards when aspirated.
See EPA's summary of oil spill response products (March 2010):
http://www.epa.gov/emergencies/docs/oil/ncp/notebook.pdfExposure
Exposure can occur through skin contact, inhalation of contaminated air or
soil, and ingestion of contaminated water or food. These can occur
simultaneously. Exposure pathways may result in localized toxicity (e.g.,
irritation of the skin following contact), but most health effects are
systemic because ingredients can move throughout the body. Exposure varies
based on the duration and concentrations in contaminated media. Differences
may result from location, work and personal activities, age, diet, use of
protective equipment, and other factors. Concurrent exposure to other toxic
chemicals must be considered when evaluating toxic effects. Some chemicals
in crude oil are volatile, moving into air easily, and these can often be
detectable by smell.
Basic Physiological Effects
Crude oil is a complex mixture of chemicals that have varying abilities to
be absorbed into the body through the skin, lungs, and during digestion of
food and water. Most components of crude oil enter the bloodstream rapidly
when they are inhaled or swallowed. Crude oil contains chemicals that
readily penetrate cell walls, damage cell structures, including DNA, and
alter the function of the cells and the organs where they are located. Crude
oil is toxic, and ingredients can damage every system in the body:
respiratory nervous system,
including the brain
liver
reproductive/urogenital system
kidneys endocrine
system
circulatory system gastrointestinal
system
immune system sensory systems
musculoskeletal system
Damaging or altering these systems causes a wide range of diseases and
conditions. In addition, interference with normal growth and development
through endocrine disruption and direct damage to fetal tissue is caused by
many crude oil ingredients (CDC, 1999). DNA damage can cause cancer and
multi-generational birth defects.
Acute Exposure Hazards - brief exposure at relatively high levels
<
http://www.sciencecorps.org/crudeoilhazards.htm#_ftn1> <1>
Crude oil contains many chemicals that can irritate the skin and mucous
membranes on contact. Irritant effects can range from slight reddening to
burning, swelling (edema), pain,and permanent skin damage. Commonly
reported effects of acute exposure to crude oil through inhalation or
ingestion include difficulty breathing, headaches, dizziness, nausea,
confusion, and other central nervous system effects. These are more likely
to be noticed than potentially more serious effects that don't have obvious
signs and symptoms: lung, liver and kidney damage, infertility, immune
system suppression, disruption of hormone levels, blood disorders,
mutations, and cancer.
Chronic Exposure Hazards - long-term exposure at relatively low levels
This type of exposure should be avoided, if at all possible, because the
potential for serious health damage is substantial. Chronic health effects
are typically evaluated for specific crude oil components (see CDC, 1999),
and vary from cancer to permanent neurological damage. They cover a range
of diseases affecting all the organ systems listed above.
Susceptible Subgroups
Children are vulnerable to toxic chemicals in crude oil that disrupt normal
growth and development. Their brains are highly susceptible to many
neurotoxic ingredients. Endocrine disruptors in crude oil can cause abnormal
growth, infertility, and other health conditions. Children's exposures may
be higher than adults and can include contaminated soil or sand. Newborns
are especially vulnerable due to incompletely formed immune and
detoxification systems.
Many people with medical conditions are more susceptible to crude oil
toxicity because chemical ingredients can damage organ systems that are
already impaired. Specific susceptibilities depend on the medical condition
(e.g., inhalation poses risks for those with asthma and other respiratory
conditions).
People taking medications that reduce their detoxification ability, and
those taking acetaminophen, aspirin, haloperidol, who have nutritional
deficiencies or who concurrently drink alcohol may be more susceptible. Some
inherited enzyme deficiencies also increase susceptibility (listed in CDC,
1999).
People exposed to other toxic chemicals at work or home may be at higher
risk.
Pregnancy places increased stress on many organ systems, including the
liver, kidneys, and cardiovascular system. Chemicals in crude oil that are
toxic to these same systems can pose serious health risks. Pregnancy also
requires a careful balance of hormones to maintain a health pregnancy and
healthy baby. Endocrine disruptors in crude oil can jeopardize the hormone
balance.
The developing fetus is susceptible to the toxic effects of many chemicals
in crude oil. Many cause mutations, endocrine disruption, skeletal
deformities, and other types of birth defects.
Personal and Public Protection
It is critical that people who work with or around crude oil wear
appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves, masks,
respirators, and water repellant clothing, to minimize exposure. The
necessary equipment will depend on the kind of exposure that can occur
(dermal, inhalation, ingestion). See OSHA guidance at OSHA 2010 link below.
Susceptible members of the public require notice when exposure may occur
(e.g., when contaminated air masses move inland) so they can take protective
actions.
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