BP Oil Spill Studies
Ambient air concentrations exceeded health-based standards for fine particulate matter and benzene during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (J Air Waste Manag Assoc.)
“The Deepwater Horizon oil spill is considered one of the largest marine oil spills in the history of the United States. Air emissions associated with the oil spill caused concern among residents of Southeast Louisiana. The purpose of this study was to assess ambient concentrations of benzene (n=3,887) and fine particulate matter (n=102,682) during the…
Read MoreA First Comprehensive Baseline of Hydrocarbon Pollution in Gulf of Mexico Fishes (Scientific Reports)
“Gulf-wide fish surveys over 2011–2018 found widespread oil contamination. One hot spot was in the northern Gulf where the 2010 BP blowout spewed oil, and where the Mississippi River, carrying pollution from 40% of the continental U.S., meets the Gulf. The lead scientist commented, “We actually haven’t found one oil-free fish yet.” Read the full…
Read MoreImpact of dispersant on crude oil content of airborne fine particulate matter emitted from seawater after an oil spill (PubMed)
“Inhalation of PM2.5, particles with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm, from sea spray after crude oil spills could present serious health concerns. The addition of dispersants to effectively spread the crude oil throughout the water column has been practiced in recent years. Here, we investigated the possibility of an increase in the toxic content…
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Ten years after Deepwater Horizon: Whistleblowers continue to suffer an unending medical nightmare triggered by Corexit (Government Accountability Project, 2020)
This report summarizes the ongoing issues of 18 witnesses who are still suffering the effects of the BP disaster. “On balance, the public health impacts identified in this third investigation continue to confirm an unacceptable conclusion: Corexit has caused the most gut-wrenching, sustained public health tragedies of any issue Government Accountability Project has investigated in…
Read MoreBP Gulf Science Data Reveals Ineffectual Subsea Dispersant Injection for the Macondo Blowout (Frontiers in Marine Science)
“After the Deepwater Horizon oil platform explosion, an estimated 172.2 million gallons of gas-saturated oil was discharged uncontrollably into the Gulf of Mexico, causing the largest deep-sea blowout in history. In an attempt to keep the oil submerged, massive quantities of the chemical dispersant Corexit® 9500 were deployed 1522 m deep at the gushing riser pipe of…
Read MoreA Review of Literature Related to Human Health and Oil Spill Dispersants (PWSRCAC)
A review of literature on dispersants from 2014–2018 by the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council (PWSRCAC) Anchorage, Alaska Read the full review here
Read Moreil Spills and Dispersants Can Cause the Initiation of Potentially Harmful Dinoflagellate Blooms (“Red Tides”) (by ACS Publications)
“After oil spills and dispersant applications the formation of red tides or harmful algal blooms (HABs) has been observed, which can cause additional negative impacts in areas affected by oil spills. However, the link between oil spills and HABs is still unknown. Here, we present experimental evidence that demonstrates a connection between oil spills and…
Read MoreThe Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Coast Guard Cohort study (BMJ Journals)
“We found positive associations between crude oil exposure and various acute physical symptoms among responders, as well as longer-term health effects. This cohort is well-positioned to evaluate both short-term and long-term effects of oil spill exposures using both self-reported and clinical health data.” Read the full study here
Read MoreThe deepwater horizon oil spill coast guard cohort study: A cross-sectional study of acute respiratory health symptoms (PubMed)
Results from the present study suggested strong relationships between oil and oil dispersant exposures and acute respiratory symptoms among disaster responders. Future prospective studies will be needed to confirm these findings. Read the full study here
Read MoreSurvival, density, and abundance of common bottlenose dolphins in Barataria Bay (USA) following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (Endangered Species Research, IRSP)
“To assess potential impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in April 2010, we conducted boat-based photo-identification surveys for common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus in Barataria Bay, Louisiana, USA (~230 km2, located 167 km WNW of the spill center). Crews logged 838 h of survey effort along pre-defined routes on 10 occasions between late June 2010 and early…
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