CDC - Reports on Gulf Oil Disaster 2010 - Human Health

(link)Deep Water Horizon - Emergency Report on Health Effects - 2010

Today's Report is a detailed explanation of Human Health effects being monitored by the CDC (Center for Disease Control).

• The Gulf Coast Oil Spill can affect human health. Hydrocarbon products produced from petroleum - have toxic effects. Crude light petroleum is not as bad, but it is not healthy.
• Crude oil contains over 1000 compounds (hydrocarbons are the clincher). Alkanes, cycloalkanes - mixed with - organic compounds have nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. Other substances that are alarming, and dangerous are metals, such as iron, nickel, copper and vanadium. The scientific community can expound.
• This report states that the lighter hydrocarbons that include benzene, xylene, toluene evaporate within the first 1- 2 days. Usually before reaching shore
• The medium and heavy oils often make near to or land on shore. This is also called "weathered" crude oil or "mousse." The dangers come from particulate matter (too small to see with the human eye. ppm = parts per million are how particulate matter is measured.
• The particulate matter is from the Fumes of the "mousse" that comes near to, or lands on the shore.
• The "weathered" crude oil fumes, can cause "oil burns", and fumes created from the mix with oil dispersant's are toxic to human health. How much harm depends on many factors.
• One study, (1991 NIOSH) shows the first effect is irritated mucus membranes.
• Real symptoms of mental or behavioral health - Anxiety, Stress and Depression have been frequently seen in previous oil spill disasters (Aguilera 2010) The mental conditions must be considered when treating patients. (No, it is not 'all in your head.')

The summation of this announcement is that for individuals who are easily affected by respiratory irritants, those who have been exposed to the toxic fumes need to find a clean air, and clean water source. Get into an air conditioned area with recycling air.

If a person is contaminated on the skin, wash with soap and water immediately. DO NOT USE GASOLINE-SOLVENTS - or INDUSTRIAL CLEANERS - in a tight spot, you can use Baby Oil or tanning lotion to remove oily, tar-like residues.

Children and women who are expecting should not be exposed to the oil, contaminated water, or fumes.

To Report Health concerns call 1-800-222-1222 or online at http://www.aapcc.org/dnn/About/FindLocalPoisonCent


This report, (available at the Link on the top of the page) goes on to recommend resources and steps for finding help for patients affected by the Deep Water Horizon toxic, human physical & mental health issues.


The best advice is to avoid waters and air affected by the "mousse" and fumes.


Workers who are responding to clean-up efforts will be affected mentally and emotionally - it is that being Human thing. Under "Mental Health" the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will respond. http://www.samhsa.gov/Disaster


National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Traumatic Incident Stress: Information for Deep water Horizon ResponseWorkers and Volunteers - http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/oilspillresponse/

Enforcement & On-line mapping tools to view enforcement actions over $5B in 2009

EPA News Release by Date: December 23, 2009. Contact Deb Berlin berlin.deb@epa.gov 202-564-4914, 202-564-4355
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/3342886E4AA895DB8525769500589311

Today's release from the EPA Enforcement division are bringing tools to the public, that we may monitor the enforcement actions, fines, SIP's (State Implementation Plan), clean-ups, and completed reports, or the lack of such can be searchable.

G.I.S. Technology is finally becoming mainstream enough, that it has become remarkably easy to use and gather data from G.I.S (Geographic Information Services) mapping. Many of you have been using GIS and weren't aware, Google Earth, Google Maps, Map Quest, GPS...

Because of the advances in G.I.S. more and more public databases are being created. Public databases are generally the venue of Government agencies, because part of the determination of use of data mapping a G.I.S. page, narrows it down to agencies who have particularly accurate information.

Now, in many States Environmental Protection agencies have GIS databases that are available to the public, that they know what facilities are in their neighborhoods, the pollutants they emit, any Consent orders, what permit violations they may have had. Information on agency action or in-action are also available.

Today's announcement from the EPA lets the world see who the biggest and dirtiest polluters are and what your State is doing about it. This is also a good way to track ARRA (Stimulus Money) Grants that have been awarded and funded. Another step on transparency in government that is trickling down through this Government For and By the People.
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/reports/endofyear/eoy2009/index.html

Thank You for what you are doing. Please get involved, find out what pollutants are being dumped and pumped into your community, state and world. Without the support of the general public, the EPA and other regulating agencies are limited on the actions they can take. When the public takes an interest, emails, make calls and watch public notices, attend public meetings, follow who is appointed to commissions and if there are conflict of interest, public corruption, or like Connecticut; doing an amazing job protecting the Air and Water.

Get involved, be informed. That is something one will never regret. Especially when you make a difference for your community, family and world.

Thank you ~ Happy Holidays!!