home
RSS
June 17th, 2010
07:51 PM ET

Should you worry about burning the oil spill?

By Caleb Hellerman
CNN Senior Medical Producer

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.

 Post by:
Filed under: Gulf oil spill • Toxic America
Next entry »
« Previous entry
soundoff (1,260 Responses)
  1. Richardbak

    supreme suppliers mumbai india canadian pharmacy no prescription canadian pharmacy order cipro online supreme suppliers cialis sample online pharmacies canada supreme suppliers in india 1650 canadian pharmacy online no script canadianhealthandcaremallscam.com cheap erectile dysfunction medication online pharmacy cheap retin a

    June 6, 2021 at 17:12 | Report abuse | Reply
  2. Jamesroyab

    canadian pharmacy supreme suppliers pharmacy rx one review

    June 6, 2021 at 18:08 | Report abuse | Reply
  3. KevinFoorb

    pharmacy online canadian pharmacy cialis on line pharmacy

    June 6, 2021 at 18:08 | Report abuse | Reply
  4. Matthewsot

    Rhine Inc India Complaints

    June 6, 2021 at 18:34 | Report abuse | Reply
  5. KevinFoorb

    canadian pharmacy cialis cialis india pharmacy canadian pharmacy

    June 6, 2021 at 19:54 | Report abuse | Reply
  6. Jamesroyab

    cialis canadian pharmacy supreme suppliersmumbaiindia online pharmacy

    June 6, 2021 at 19:54 | Report abuse | Reply
  7. DavidAdess

    supreme suppliers how to get a viagra prescription impotence medication cheapest cialis 20mg canada pharmacies canadian pharmacy cialis clomid online pharmacy cheap viagra online canada pharmacy 1650 canadian pharmacy online no script online pharmacy price of viagra

    June 7, 2021 at 00:25 | Report abuse | Reply
  8. DavidAdess

    canadian pharmacy cialis 20mg buy viagra without a prescription buy ed medications cheap cialis official canadian pharmacy canada pharmacy online buy clomid without prescription uk canadian pharmacy no scripts canadian health and care mall canadian pharmacy best viagra prices

    June 7, 2021 at 02:27 | Report abuse | Reply
  9. DavidFex

    canada meds no perscriptions

    June 7, 2021 at 03:13 | Report abuse | Reply
  10. DavidFex

    cialis from canada

    June 7, 2021 at 05:24 | Report abuse | Reply
  11. aralen buy online

    hydroxychloroquine meaning chloroquine phosphate aralen hydro clore quinn

    June 7, 2021 at 06:30 | Report abuse | Reply
  12. Richardbak

    order cipro online supreme suppliers online pharmacy canadian pharmacy cialis 5 mg supreme suppliers mumbai free cialis samples northwest pharmacy canada supreme supplies in india canada pharmacy online Canada Pharmacies Free Shipping canadian ed drugs on line retin a for sale

    June 7, 2021 at 06:35 | Report abuse | Reply
  13. Matthewsot

    Rhine Inc in India

    June 7, 2021 at 07:41 | Report abuse | Reply
  14. Richardbak

    supreme suppliersmumbaiindia canadianpharmacy.com canadian pharmacy online no script supreme suppliers mumbai india free cialis samples online pharmacy supreme suppliersmumbaiindia canada pharmacy online Home Page ed pills from canada where to buy tretinoin cream

    June 7, 2021 at 08:21 | Report abuse | Reply
  15. Jamesroyab

    generic cialis online pharmacy reviews supreme suppliersmumbaiindia online pharmacy

    June 7, 2021 at 09:17 | Report abuse | Reply
  16. KevinFoorb

    pharmacy online online pharmacy online pharmacy

    June 7, 2021 at 09:17 | Report abuse | Reply
  17. KevinFoorb

    canada pharmacy 24 hour drug store online pharmacy canada pharmacy 24 hour drug store

    June 7, 2021 at 11:04 | Report abuse | Reply
  18. Jamesroyab

    canada pharmacy 24 hour drug store supreme supplies in india canadianpharmacy

    June 7, 2021 at 11:04 | Report abuse | Reply
  19. DavidAdess

    canada pharmacy online viagra without prescriptions ed medications cheap cialis online canadian pharmacy online canadian pharmacy no presc clomiphene capsules for sale canadian prescription pharmacy rayh health care viagra online pharmacy cheapest viagra prices online

    June 7, 2021 at 17:53 | Report abuse | Reply
  20. DavidAdess

    order cipro online supreme suppliers buy viagra without a prescription ed pills cheapest cialis 20mg rayh health care viagra canadian pharmacies online clomid without prescriptions mexico canada online pharmacy canadian online pharmacy online pharmacy canada best generic viagra review

    June 7, 2021 at 19:51 | Report abuse | Reply
  21. Richardbak

    order cipro online supreme suppliers canadian pharmacy cialis 20mg north american pharmacy supreme suppliers in india samples of viagra and cialis northwest pharmacy canada supreme suppliers 1650 canadian pharmacy online no script Canadian Health Care online erectile dysfunction medications purchase tretinoin cream

    June 7, 2021 at 21:48 | Report abuse | Reply
  22. DavidFex

    canadian online phamacy cipro overnight

    June 7, 2021 at 22:09 | Report abuse | Reply
  23. Matthewsot

    Home Page

    June 7, 2021 at 22:39 | Report abuse | Reply
  24. Richardbak

    supreme suppliers mumbai canadian pharmacies northwest pharmacy canada supreme supplies in india viagra and cialis sample pack canada pharmacy online canadian pharmacy cialis paxil canada pharmacy no perscription Home Page ed medications cheap tretinoin without prescription

    June 7, 2021 at 23:33 | Report abuse | Reply
  25. DavidFex

    canadian pharmacy no prescription

    June 8, 2021 at 00:23 | Report abuse | Reply
  26. Jamesroyab

    canada pharmacy 24 hour drug store supreme suppliersmumbaiindia canadian pharmacy express

    June 8, 2021 at 00:26 | Report abuse | Reply
  27. KevinFoorb

    canadian pharmacy cialis canadian pharmacy online pharmacy

    June 8, 2021 at 00:26 | Report abuse | Reply
  28. KevinFoorb

    online pharmacy online pharmacy onlinepharmacy

    June 8, 2021 at 02:12 | Report abuse | Reply
  29. Jamesroyab

    onlinepharmacy supreme supplies in india cialis canadian pharmacy

    June 8, 2021 at 02:12 | Report abuse | Reply
  30. DavidAdess

    supreme suppliers india viagra viagra without prescriptions drugs for erectile dysfunction cheapest cialis available pacific care pharmacy canadian pharmacy clonidine clomid without prescriptions mexico canada pharmacies online prescriptions pacific care pharmacy northwest pharmacy canada viagra 100 mg best price

    June 8, 2021 at 11:22 | Report abuse | Reply
  31. Richardbak

    onlinepharmacy canadian pharmacy northwest pharmacy canada online pharmacy cialis samples overnight north american pharmacy canadian pharmacies canadian no script pharmacy Click Here best ed pills to take tretinoin 20 20 gm from india

    June 8, 2021 at 12:59 | Report abuse | Reply
  32. DavidAdess

    online pharmacy buy viagra online with no prescription drugs for erectile dysfunction buy cialis online cheap rayhhealthcare online order medication online pharmacy buying clomid online safe canadian online pharmacies canadian health and care mall reviews online pharmacies canada best viagra prices

    June 8, 2021 at 13:20 | Report abuse | Reply
  33. Richardbak

    order cipro online supreme suppliers canadian pharmacy northwest pharmacy canada online pharmacy cialis free sample northwest pharmacy canada order cipro online supreme suppliers canada pharmacy online Canadian Health Care Cost code red ed pill tretinoin canada

    June 8, 2021 at 14:46 | Report abuse | Reply
  34. Jamesroyab

    canada pharmacy 24 hour drug store supreme supplies in india on line pharmacy

    June 8, 2021 at 15:39 | Report abuse | Reply
  35. KevinFoorb

    onlinepharmacy canadian pharmacy sky pharmacy online drugstore

    June 8, 2021 at 15:39 | Report abuse | Reply
  36. Jamesroyab

    pharmacy on line supremesuppliersmumbai.com canadian pharmacy cialis 20mg

    June 8, 2021 at 17:26 | Report abuse | Reply
  37. KevinFoorb

    no prescription pharmacy canadian pharmacy cialis 20mg online pharmacy

    June 8, 2021 at 17:26 | Report abuse | Reply
  38. DavidFex

    canada cialis

    June 8, 2021 at 19:12 | Report abuse | Reply
  39. DavidAdess

    suhagra supreme suppliers no prescription viagra erectile dysfunction drugs cheap cialis online canadian pharmacy sky pharmacy canada buy clomiphene citrate canadian online pharmacy canadian health and care pharmacy cialis canadian pharmacy price of viagra

    June 9, 2021 at 03:53 | Report abuse | Reply
  40. Richardbak

    supremesuppliers canadian pharmacies northwestern canada drugs supremesuppliersindia.com samples of viagra and cialis 24 hour canadian pharmacy onlinepharmacy canadian pharmacy no prescription Is Canadian Health Care Mall Legitimate erectile dysfunction drugs retin a

    June 9, 2021 at 04:02 | Report abuse | Reply
  41. DavidAdess

    canadian pharmacies order viagra no prescription online ed pills without prescription cheapest cialis 20mg canadian pharmacy cialis canada pharmacy online buying clomid online safe canadian prescription pharmacy pacific care pharmacy vanuatu northwest pharmacy canada best price on viagra 100mg

    June 9, 2021 at 05:42 | Report abuse | Reply
  42. Richardbak

    supreme supplies in india canadian pharmacies that accept paypal tadalafil canadian pharmacy online supreme suppliers free samples of viagra and cialis canadian pharmacy online no script online pharmacy canadian pharmacy no prescription Canadian Health Care Mall Pharmacy pills for ed isotretinoin

    June 9, 2021 at 05:48 | Report abuse | Reply
  43. Jamesroyab

    canada pharmacy 24 hour drug store order cipro online supreme suppliers canada pharmacy 24 hour drug store

    June 9, 2021 at 06:52 | Report abuse | Reply
  44. KevinFoorb

    on line pharmacy canadian pharmacy express canada pharmacy 24 hour drug store

    June 9, 2021 at 06:52 | Report abuse | Reply
  45. Jamesroyab

    canadian pharmacy express canadian pharmacy cialis no prescription pharmacy

    June 9, 2021 at 08:41 | Report abuse | Reply
  46. KevinFoorb

    pacific care pharmacy canadian pharmacy cialis online pharmacy india

    June 9, 2021 at 08:41 | Report abuse | Reply
  47. DavidFex

    canadian medicine shop

    June 9, 2021 at 13:38 | Report abuse | Reply
  48. DavidAdess

    order cipro online supreme suppliers viagra online prescription buy impotence drugs buy cialis cheap pacific care pharmacy port vila canadian pharmacies mail order can u buy clomid on line canadian online pharmacy pacific care pharmacy port vila northwest pharmacy canada best price viagra 100mg costco

    June 9, 2021 at 18:43 | Report abuse | Reply
  49. DavidAdess

    supreme suppliers mumbai viagra without prescriptions ed drugs cheap generic cialis cialis canadian pharmacy canadian pharmacy stock cheap clomid in the usa online pharmacy is canadian health care mall legitimate list of legitimate canadian pharmacies best price on viagra 100mg

    June 9, 2021 at 20:27 | Report abuse | Reply
  50. Jamesroyab

    canada pharmacy 24 hour drug store canada pharmacy online canadian pharmacy no prescription

    June 9, 2021 at 21:13 | Report abuse | Reply
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Leave a Reply to MatthewWar

Click here to cancel reply.

 

CNN welcomes a lively and courteous discussion as long as you follow the Rules of Conduct set forth in our Terms of Service. Comments are not pre-screened before they post. You agree that anything you post may be used, along with your name and profile picture, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and the license you have granted pursuant to our Terms of Service.

Next entry »
« Previous entry
Advertisement
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.