Top 5 Health Issues Associated with Oil Spills

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Top 5 Health Issues Associated with Oil Spills
Oil and gas have been the engine of the world for more than 100 years. As the oil travel from one place to another, oil spills are frequent and according to a study, a significant oil spill happens every year. Generally, Companies hire a large number of emergency responders to clean up the oil, and the consequences of spilling are always talked about environmental damage, economic losses, and impact on marine species.

​You should know that there is a massive impact of oil spills on a human being, which can not be ignored. We have mentioned five major health issues associated with oil spills on the human body.

• Respiratory Damage

According to a study held on residents and cleanup workers, Corexit EC9500A, an oil dispersal agent, contributes to damage the epithelium cells present in the human lungs. The epithelium is a thin layer that acts as a protective layer against harmful particles. The study says that when a human exposes to the Corexit, it causes oxidative stress to the cells and leads to the breakdown of their ability to function as a barrier.    

• Hepatic Disorder

Studies on biomarkers have revealed irreparable harm to the human body done by the exposure to oil and gas spills. Cleanup workers are more at risk of catching several health issues. Hepatic disorder refers to the problems related to the liver and also falls in the category of health issues associated with the oil spill. Researchers have conducted a study on the cleanup group, which was exposed to the Gulf oil spill and witnessed the altered liver enzymes and somatic symptoms in comparison to the unexposed group.

• Weakens Immunity System

Cleanup workers and volunteers suffer from the weaker immunity system in comparison to other people. As crude oil exposure is associated with enhanced corticosteroid production, which comes with a negative impact on the effectiveness of lymphocytes leads to decreasing the immunity system in a human body. A weak immune system makes a human body vulnerable to cold, fever, and flu.

• Increase Cancer Risk

The oil spill keeps the potential to increase cancer risk in the human body. Possible genotoxic effects have been found out in various studies held on cleanup workers who are more vulnerable to cancer in comparison to the others. In addition to it, a higher risk of alterations in the circulation of lymphocytes was found among the staff after two years of exposure.

• Exposure to Oil Spill causes Reproductive Damage

Exposure to the oil spill can affect a child before conception, in the gestation period, and after birth. Brenda Eskenazi, a researcher, has described the mechanisms through which an oil spill exposure can affect the life of a pregnant lady and suggested to take precautions if a woman is pregnant and working as a cleanup worker. It doesn’t only affect a child in a womb but also affects him physically and psychologically after birth.  
       
Considering the health issues caused by oil spills, it’s always best to get the spills cleaned by professionals who have experience handling similar issues.