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Mysterious illnesses linked to BP oil disaster aftermath
by Joseph Ernest January 14, 2011
Newscast Media--Illnesses that appear to be spreading and worsening amongst Gulf Coast residents have been linked to chemicals present in BP's oil and toxic dispersants used during the clean-up of the Gulf of Mexico last July. According to the US Government, BP's oil disaster released at least 4.9 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. BP has used at least 1.9 million gallons of toxic dispersants, that are banned in at least 19 countries, to sink the oil.
On June 4, 2010, New York Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand was concerned about the after effects of chemical exposure to those cleaning up the Gulf, she urged Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to use her legal authority to force BP to disclose confidential information related to the chemicals used in the dispersants. There were growing concerns over the confidential chemical make-up of the dispersant being used in the Gulf and its potential long-term health risk to workers in the clean-up effort and further damages to the local environment, on top of exposure to the oil.
Others who were concerned about the health risks associated with the chemicals used also voiced their opinions.
"We're very concerned about the impact of the disaster on the public health of people in the gulf region," said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on May 30, 2010, as she outlined steps the government was taking to respond to any physical and mental health problems that emerge from the spill.
Many of the chemicals present in the oil and dispersants are known to cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, kidney damage, altered renal functions, irritation of the digestive tract, lung damage, burning pain in the nose and throat, coughing, pulmonary edema, cancer, lack of muscle coordination, dizziness, confusion, irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat, difficulty breathing, delayed reaction time, memory difficulties, stomach discomfort, liver and kidney damage, unconsciousness, tiredness/lethargy, irritation of the upper respiratory tract, and hematological disorders.
The Environmental Protection Agency released its findings and admitted that the dispersants which included the deadly Corexit 9500A, ranged from moderately toxic to highly toxic. The test results from the EPA can be read here in this PDF. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Corexit 9500A has been declared an Acute (immediate) Health Hazard. The exact rule is: OSHA HAZARD COMMUNICATION RULE, 29 CFR 1910.1200
The entire MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet for Corexit.
Florida never issued any advisories, despite many residents reporting illnesses they attribute to the oil disaster. US federal government agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, along with President Barack Obama himself, have declared the Gulf of Mexico, its waters, beaches, and seafood, safe and open to the public.
"It's criminal for the government to tell people to eat the contaminated seafood, and that it's alright for people go to our toxic beaches and swim in the contaminated water," an area doctor said, "This crisis has to be taken seriously by the government and health care community." Add Comments>>
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