Recommendations on Responses to Spill Exposures from a Medical Specialist

Recommendations on Responses to Spill Exposures from a Medical Specialist

File photo: mms.gov

(DETROIT, Mi.) - Dr. Michael Harbut, Director of an Environmental Cancer Initiative who has treated thousands of chemically-exposed workers and members of the general public, recommended the following to people in the Gulf region who are concerned about spill fumes and vapors to which they may become exposed.

If you smell a strange odor, go inside, turn on the air conditioning and call your doctor.

If there is a persistent petroleum odor where you live or work, and you wonder if you should relocate for a while, the answer is probably yes. Very low levels of the chemicals probably contained in this poisonous mix can cause nerve damage, breathing problems and cancer in some of the people exposed to it.

Respirators prevent some kinds of chemical exposures and might be a good idea in contaminated areas. If you have no underlying health conditions to prohibit its use, a cartridge respirator approved for organic solvents offers some protection from airborne toxins. Be sure to ask your doctor for medical clearance.

In the absence of odors, if you are told that benzene is elevated in your community's air, you are being exposed to a carcinogen. You should weigh the pros and cons of remaining in a contaminated area, using a respirator, or taking other actions to protect yourself.

Listen to the air quality alerts, especially if you have asthma, COPD, cardiovascular conditions, or other serious health conditions, or are pregnant. The alerts may recommend staying indoors, avoiding exercise, using air cleaners or air conditioners, and other strategies to reduce exposure and harm.

Don't eat fish or seafood from oil-contaminated areas, even if it looks & smells normal, until proven safe.

Avoid direct contact with oil, contaminated water, spill treatment chemicals, and contaminated materials. Chemicals can be absorbed through your skin. A rash from contact with these poisons is not "totally harmless." Call your doctor.

If you feel short of breath, nausea, dizzy, intoxicated, or disoriented, move to the least contaminated area you can find and call your doctor. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, or continue to feel ill, seek immediate medical care.

Ask your representatives to insure public access to information on all of the dispersants and contamination in your area. No "trade secret" or "proprietary" exemptions. Without knowing the actual components of the chemicals being dumped into the gulf, it is difficult to give better advice.

None of the above should be considered direct, personal medical care, which best comes from your MD or DO.

Medical science literature sources are at: sciencecorps.org/crudeoilhazards.htm

Michael R. Harbut, MD, MPH, FCCP
CoDirector, National Center for Vermiculite and Asbestos-Related Cancers
Director, Environmental Cancer Initiative, Karmanos Cancer Institute
Professor, Internal Medicine, Wayne State University
Chief, Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine,
Providence Hospital 118 N. Washington, Detroit, MI 48067