Doctor explains health impact of exposure to oil spill

[Pathfinder]

Doctor explains health impact of exposure to oil spill

By Harlan Kirgan

April 30, 2010, 4:15PM


OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. -- Dr. John Weldon, internal medicine specialist at Singing River Health System, said there are two conditions that can develop from exposure to oil.

"Obviously nobody here is well versed in this kind of problem," he said.

Weldon said he found a study of a Greek oil tanker than ran aground in Pakistan in 2003 for health problems associated with exposure to oil.
Weldon said respiratory and general exposure problems occur.

"You get respiratory irritation. It can cause coughing. It can cause wheezing. In patients who have asthma it can cause worsening of their asthma," he said. Exposure can also cause sore throat, itchy eyes and skin, he said.

Other problems that can develop are headache and vertigo, he said.

Weldon said psychological issues such fear and panic disorders occurred.

"One of the things very likely with a major oil spill or major oil amount coming up on shore is that there comes a tremendous pungent smell dependent on the wind direction. It is really apparent certainly along the coast, but many miles inland," he said.

Weldon said the long term effects from exposure to an oil spill are not known.

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2010/04/doctor_explains_health_impact_of_exposure_to_oil_spill.html

[tropical]

Re: Doctor explains health impact of exposure to oil spill

#1: "Weldon said the long term effects from exposure to an oil spill are not known."


in a sense that there will be many effects:

http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/oil_spills

Oil Spills

"It takes only one quart of oil to pollute approximately 150,000 gallons of water.

Crude oil contains numerous materials that pose both short-term and long-term dangers to humans, including benzene and chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. Short-term exposure to benzene causes dizziness and nausea, and long-term exposure has been linked to leukemia and other maladies, according to the EPA. The EPA says some PAH chemicals are carcinogens.
..."
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http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Oc-Po/Oil-Spills-Impact-on-the-Ocean.html

Oil Spills: Impact on the Ocean

" Wildlife other than fish and sea creatures, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds that live in or near the ocean, are also poisoned by oil waste. The hazards for wildlife include toxic effects of exposure or ingestion, injuries such as smothering and deterioration of thermal insulation, and damage to their reproductive systems and behaviors. Long-term ecological effects that contaminate or destroy the marine organic substrate and thereby interrupt the food chain are also harmful to the wildlife, so species populations may change or disappear.
..."