A little over a month ago, reports suggested that several dozen oil cleanup crew members had fallen ill. Authorities suggested that the illnesses were caused by heat exhaustion and possibly fumes from the oil. In the past week or so, reports say over 160 oil spill crew members were suffering from flu-like systems. Also, over 400 beach visitors and residents in Escambia County, Florida went to medical care facilities complaining of upper or lower respiratory problems, headaches, nausea, and eye irritation. Within a month, illness cases went from 24 to 560 with most, if not all suffering from the worsening air quality. July reported cases are 23 times as many as in June. To estimate the number of cases we may see in August, we multiply 590 by 23 (rate). The estimate is 12,800 cases. Of course, this is only an estimate, which may not be the actual amount. However, there are likely scores of local and surrounding state residents that will not report to a clinic for fumes-related illnesses, making the actual number of people affected much more than 12,800. This may be a troubling health risk trend.
The crude oil emitted gases containing chemicals, such as Benzene can be found in smoke from the sea surface oil burning and/or the crude oil evaporating fumes. These gases are known carcinogens. Gases that not only can get us, sick but also can mutate DNA cells, reduce the effectiveness of the immune system, and create blood diseases such as leukemia.
Avoid these fumes is possible. If you cannot avoid exposure, protect yourself with an air purifier when indoors.
Worsening Air Quality Sources
When crude oil rises to the Gulf surface, it will begin to evaporate into scores of chemical gases. When the crude oil is ignited and burned off the sea surface, soot, considered a small highly toxic particulate, is emitted into the air along with many other toxic chemical gases. The chemical gases are known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Semivolatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs). Examples of these gas chemicals are Methane, Benzene, Hydrogen Sulfide, and other toxic gases. These pollutants may likely become more dangerous when mixed with the Corexit chemical dispersant vapors. The Corexit being sprayed onto the Gulf contains Butoxyethanol, along with a few other dangerous chemicals, plus tract elements including Arsenic, Mercury, Cadmium, Chromium, and Cyanide. Many of these chemical are known health hazards that can sicken you, make you gravely ill with cancer, or in extremely high doses, kill you.
One California university has 400 samples of air from throughout the northern Gulf of Mexico, being testing for crude oil VOCs and SVOCs. They suggest that the official testing up to now has concentrated more on the VOCs and soot from the oil burn off. However, state tests, universities and the EPA test data have found crude oil evaporation VOC levels in coastal communities exceed safety standards.
Who Is Affected?
All living beings can be affected. Chemically sensitive people are affected the most. Chemically sensitive people have lost the ability to tolerate exposures to household and environmental chemical substances and gases. It sometimes referred to as a chronic, recurring disease. Exposure to chemicals tends to reduce tolerance and chemical sensitivity becomes more acute. Chemically sensitive people typically experience deepened health impacts including eye, skin and respiratory irritation, as well as headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea and confusion.
Children, especially babies, are quite vulnerable because their bodies are still forming. Pollution exposure studies have found that there can be long-term lingering adverse affects on children throughout their life because of these exposures. The elderly, those with existing weakened immune systems, chronically ill and asthma sufferers also are at higher health risk. These groups need to take extra care to avoid VOC and SVOC exposure.
Conclusion
The reported illnesses found in the Gulf are 23 times larger than they were a month ago. At this rate, it is possible that there will be as many as 12,800 cases of illnesses reported in August. This is a troubling health risk trend.
Stay inside to avoid exposure to the VOCs, SVOCs and soot. These toxic chemical gases and small particulate matter are dangerous to human life. When indoors, it is best to cleanse your air with an air purifier that is capable of removing these contaminates.
