Today, the US government launched what is billed as the largest ever study how an oil spill to affect human health. Gulf study long-term monitoring will probe Gulf residents who have contributed to cleaner Deepwater Horizon last year's oil spill and monitor for at least 5 years.
The study of $ 19 million by the National Institute of Sciences Environmental Health (NIEHS) communicate with people known to have been involved in the Gulf cleanup efforts and ask them to submit physical examinations and complete questionnaires on their health. This direct approach is broader than simply relying on the existing medical records, lead researcher Dale Sandler, chief of the branch of epidemiology at NIEHS, said in a conference call today. "People could not complain, they could just feel lousy and not report," she said.
The study team plans to contact 100,000 people in order to register 55 000 in the study. the first letters go out today, and efforts will rise in April. the questionnaire and the results will also be available on the study website. "We try to set an example for do research in the light of day, "said Sandler.
The National Institutes of Health will take about $ 19 million, including $ 8 million for a special fund for cross-cutting initiatives managed by the NIH Director Francis Collins, and $ 6 million from BP, which has played no role in the study design and will not be involved in the analysis of results.
An objective of the study is to determine how people were exposed to oil, including pollution of air from controlled burns, direct contact with oil or dispersants , or eating contaminated seafood. NIEHS group works with toxicologists and local health authorities to identify biomarkers for these and other sources of contamination which can cause difficulty breathing, rash, chemicals in the blood, and, in the longer term, the increased risk of cancer among cleaning crew. Sandler said his team will also look at the anecdotal accounts of the spill-related illnesses have been reported.
Sandler said his team will not be able to blame the oil spill for any particular health problem reported by residents, many of whom have little access to health care and are regularly exposed to other health risks. Still, all the recurring units of the disease could be used as the basis for individual lawsuits against BP.
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