Critical role for the public health system in the gulf oil disaster response

This presentation discusses the critical role of the public health system in the response to the Gulf Oil Disaster-in particular surveillance and monitoring and seafood consumption. As one of the largest oil spills ever to have occurred, the response to the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill built upon public health systems to insure the protection of public health. The volume of oil released and the amount of dispersants used to control the oil spill raised concerns over the health of the populations working and living in the proximity of the Gulf coast. Further, the location of the oil spill 50 miles off-shore and 1 mile below the surface created very different exposure issues than observed with tanker oils spills near the coastline.

The public health response required identifying crude oil components, particularly compounds of concern, and the changes that occur in the weathered oil. This provided a basis for the assessment of exposures to coastal populations. The use of dispersants in the Gulf generated concern among residents who reside along the coast. Exposure scenarios include environmental monitoring for volatile agents and implementation of a robust seafood monitoring program to keep Louisiana seafood safe. A summary of the public health surveillance conducted in the coastal Louisiana parishes during the oil spill includes the most frequent health complaints as well as the impact of heat stress on workers.