THE Deepwater Horizon oil spill may be making people sick in body and mind for a long time to come. So say experts who met last week in New Orleans, Louisiana, to tackle unanswered questions about the health effects of the spill.
Hosted by the 鈥� a non-profit organisation within the US National Academies in Washington DC 鈥� the talk highlighted the short-term health effects of the spill, such as nausea, headache, and irritation to the eyes and throat, and the difficult work ahead to protect coastal communities.
Workers closest to the spill site are at an increased risk, they say, especially volunteers who may have insufficient training. Beach-goers were advised not to swim in areas affected by the spill and avoid touching the oil.
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Oil contains known carcinogens, but little is known about its long-term health effects. Blanca Laffon, a public health researcher at the University of Coru帽a in Spain, has observed DNA changes in people exposed to the 2002 Prestige oil spill off the Galician coast. Such DNA damage could increase the risk of cancer, she says, much like exposure to cigarette smoke. Her team is analysing data from last year to see if these changes persist.
In addition to the immediate physical hazards, the group also voiced concerns about social and mental health risks, given the inextricable ties of Gulf communities to the ocean.