Gulf Oil Spill Workers are starting to experience Adverse Health Affects due to Chemical Exposure in Oil Cleanup

As if the Gulf Oil Spill weren’t enough of a disaster, another crisis is beginning to take shape amidst the cleanup effort.  Gulf Oil Syndrome (also called Oil Spill Syndrome) is being seen in emergency rooms and mobile health units among cleanup workers, fishermen, and others who are involved in the conservation effort.  Chemicals like Benzene, Toulene, Xylene, Naphthalene, Ethylbenzene*, and others are now found in the air, primarily through the burning of oil and the use of chemicals that dissolve or dilute oil.  Exposure to light crude oil, burning oil particles, oil spill dispersants, and other chemicals can cause a host of health problems. 

Some of the milder symptoms include*: Read the rest of this entry »