 |
|
|
|
|
June 17th, 2010
07:51 PM ET
Should you worry about burning the oil spill?
By Caleb Hellerman As cleanup workers burn off oil from BP’s ruined Deepwater Horizon well, the black clouds of smoke soaring skyward are carrying questions about health risks, along with a thick helping of soot, volatile gases and other toxic byproducts. The most immediate risk is to cleanup workers or others in proximity to the burn, according to Dr. Phil Harber, head of the division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. However, depending on the eventual scope of the burn, and length of the cleanup effort, others on shore could be affected, says Harber. “People with asthma, or who are very young, or who have cardiac disease, are much more likely to be sensitive the released pollutants.” Federal officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Agency have issued a memorandum insisting on proper safety equipment and training for all cleanup workers. When reached by CNN, spokespeople for two companies helping with the effort – Global Industries, and Boots and Coots - would not say if workers were taking special precautions to protect against the smoke. More than 12,600 workers are helping with the overall cleanup effort, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The black cloud is largely made up of small particles that can lodge deep in the lungs. It also contains gases such as sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, and volatile compounds called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which at high exposures are considered a trigger for cancer, says Harber. Of course, because of the volatile compounds it gives off, the spilled oil poses some health risk, simply sitting on the surface. OSHA has been monitoring air in the main clean up area, and posting some results on its website. The Environmental Protection Agency also has air monitoring stations around the Gulf, with results posted on this website. According to data posted on June 15, the EPA says that air-quality levels for ozone and particulates on the Gulf coastline are no different from usual, for this time of year. However, the gases swirling around the spill do seem to be having at least some health effect. Hospitals have reported several dozen cleanup workers who complained of symptoms including headaches, nausea and dizziness. Long-term, the potential impact is unclear. John Howard, director of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, told a congressional panel Wednesday, “We have very scant information, in general, about oil spills.” With reporting from CNN intern Trisha Pasricha. Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation. |
  About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.
 |
|
|
|
viagra without a prescription ed pills cheapest cialis pacific care pharmacy port vila canadian pharmacy clonidine buy clomid in uk canadian pharmacy on script needed canadian pharmacy canadian pharmacy mall best site to buy viagra online
buy viagra without a prescription erection drugs pharmacy online cialis online cheap cialis canadian pharmacy canadian pharmacies shipping to usa clomid for sale 1650 canadian pharmacy online no script canadian health care mall north american pharmacy best prices on viagra
sky pharmacy canada
sky pharmacy online
viagra without prescriptions ed medications cialis cheap canada canadian health and care mall reviews canadian pharmacy cialis 5 mg clomid for sale canadian pharmacy no scripts rayhhealthcare online order medication canadian pharmacy without prescritption viagra 100mg price
Click Here – Viagra without prescriptions best drugs for ed where can i get cialis cheaper is canadian health care mall legitimate canada pharmacy clomid for sale canadian pharmacy online no script canadian pharmacy cialis canada pharmacy online best price viagra 100mg costco
online pharmacy
pharmacyrxone
best prices for prescription viagra best ed drug cheapest cialis available canada pharmacy online canadian superstore pharmacy reviews clomid without prescriptions mexico canada pharmacy without script pacific care pharmacy port vila vanuatu canadapharmacy best price on viagra 100mg
Visit Homepage best ed drugs cheap cialis canada canadian pharmacy without prescritption canada pharmacy online buy clomid without prescription uk online pharmacy is canadian health care mall legitimate official canadian pharmacy best place to buy viagra online
canada pharmacy 24h
canadian pharmacy 24h
canadian pharmacy no prescription
sky pharmacy canada
viagra without prescription
canadian pharmacy cialis northwest pharmacy canada supreme supplies in india cialis free samples canadian pharmacy no prescription supreme suppliers mumbai 400 058 india canadian pharmacy cialis Canadian Pharmacies That Are Legit edmedicationsonlinebuy.com isotretinoin for sale
canadian pharmacy cialis
viagra no prior prescription
canadian pharmacies canada pharmacy supreme supplies in india cialis samples overnight north american pharmacy supreme suppliers 1650 canadian pharmacy online no script Reputable Canadian Mail Order Pharmacies ed drugs tretinoin cream for sale
rhine inc in india
canadian pharmacies
free viagra
rhine inc palghar m.s india
cialis without prescription
viagra samples cialis
cialis online without prescription
canadian pharmacy no prescription
myskypharmacy
canadian pharmacy cialis 20mg
rhine inc pharmacy
rhiner inc. inda
viagra 6 free sample
canadian pharmacy no prescription
1650 canadian pharmacy online no script
canada pharmacy meds
orlistat sky pharmacy
rhineinc.in
sky pharmacy online drugstore
free trial viagra sample
online pharmacies canada
canadian pharmacy online no script
rhine inc generics
canadian pharmacy cialis
rhine inc india
canadian pharm support group
viagra and cialis samples from pfizer
247 overnight pharmacy canadian
rhine inc india tadalafil
canada pharmacy online
canada pharmacy without prescription