Discuss some of the health effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon spill

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

On April 20, 2010, the BP Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, immediately killing 11 human beings. Among the first effects was the spill of tens of thousands of barrels of oil a day into the Gulf, effectively polluting the water, damaging the shoreline, and killing wildlife. A total of 4.9 million barrels were spilled by the time the well was capped in July. The spill was not stopped for 85 days. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, "The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico poses direct threats to human health from inhalation or dermal contact with the oil and dispersant chemicals, and indirect threats to seafood safety and mental health." Exposure causes headaches, chest pain, and respiratory problems.
To assess the public health effects of the spill, researchers from the Public Policy Research Lab at Louisiana State University started a telephone survey in which 900 interviews were conducted. They were started fewer than 60 days after the explosion. Their findings include a doubling of self-rated stress: 60 percent felt worried constantly during the week of the interview, and more than 80 percent worried about how they and those they knew would earn a living, causing 70 percent to consider moving out of the area even though the majority had lived there all their lives. As a result of the stress, 40 percent had stomach aches some or all the time, 38 percent had headaches some or all the time, and 34 percent had aches and pains all or some of the time. More than 40 percent had trouble sleeping, taking care of their families, and focusing on work.