Environmental Health Topics: Gulf Coast Oil Spill

The Gulf Coast oil spill poses a threat to the environment, as well as to public health. It is important to understand the potential risks of human exposure to the oil spill to avoid and prevent hazardous conditions.

Resources:

Journal of the American Medical Association "Health Effects of the Gulf Oil Spill": Commentary familiarizing physicians with health effects from the oil spill to properly advise, diagnose, and treat affected patients. 

American Academy of Pediatrics, Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units, American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, and American College of Medical Toxicology fact sheets: Information of interest to clinicians and community members affected by the Gulf oil spill.

Institute of Medicine "Assessing the Human Health Effects of the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill: An Institute of Medicine Workshop": Scientific , medical, and public health experts convened to share experience and knowledge to examine a range of health issues related to the Gulf of Mexico spill. View the webcast here.

American Academy of Pediatrics “Children and Disasters: Disaster preparedness to meet children’s needs”: AAP information on the oil spill affecting the Gulf Coast.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill.

• “Health Surveillance”: Provides up-to-the-date Gulf Coast health surveillance data for residents, response workers, and health professionals.
• “Dispersants and Your Health”: Fact sheet on oil dispersants, how they can harm human health, and how to avoid these health threats.
• “What to Expect from the Oil Spill and How to Protect Your Health”: Guide to the various potential health threats from the oil spill and where to find more information to protect your health.
• "Selected Studies on the Human Health Effects of Oil Spills": Peer-reviewed articles on the history of past oil spills and effects on human health.

Environmental Protection Agency "Oil Spills": Information on oil pollution response activities.  

National Library of Medicine “Crude Oil Spills and Health”: NIH disaster information management research center providing links to related information.

National Institute of Environmental Science "Safety and Training of Oil Spill Response Workers": Training tool, presentations, and other resources on protecting the health and safety of workers cleaning up the oil spill.