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Subscribe to RSSMsnbc.com's JoNel Aleccia reports from New Orleans:
Even as scientists meet here to examine the potential health effects of the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill, surveillance systems show only mild impacts on people so far, judging by the number of reports.
With more than 33,000 workers and volunteers deployed to the spill, there have been 143 reports of oil-related illnesses logged by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals as of this week. That includes 108 spill workers and 35 members of the public. Twenty people — 17 workers and three community members — were briefly hospitalized for complaints usually related to strong oil odors. Everybody felt better once they left the smelly area though, said Lisa Faust, a spokeswoman for the health department.
So far, 357 oil exposure complaints have been reported to the American Association of Poison Control Centers. People who suspect spill-related problems should call 1-800-222-1222
But health officials say that reports of headaches, nausea, sore throat and dizziness may only be the immediate short-term effects of the spill. To track potentially serious and long-term effects, such as the development of cancer or other illnesses, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has launched the most robust monitoring system of oil spill workers to date. As of last week, 14,664 workers had volunteered to be part of a long-term tracking system.
What that may reveal about future health problems is the big question for top researchers gathered by the Institute of Medicine over the next two days.
No one expects to come away with concrete answers, just a better understanding of what this massive environmental disaster might mean for the people caught in its path, said Nancy E. Adler, a scientist at the University of California at San Francisco who helped organize the meeting.
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The old saying whatever doesn't kill you, can put you in intensive care. should apply here.
My uncle went swimming off the Alabama coast. Soon as he walked back on the beach the Alabama State Police beat him senseless. Apparently white swimmers skin changes to varying degrees of brown according to how long you spend in the water.
His wife was accepting of the change at first until they went to bed later that night, now he lives in his car in a Wal Mart super center parking lot.
"If they(USA) doesn't stop lying about the technology they have suppressed, for the benefit of oil companies. they will continue to suffer, .. rapidly and exponentlally, .. until they vanish back into the Black Hole they came from.
Selling out our Planet Earth, (the American Dream)for digits (zero's), on a cyber page (money),
.. will lead to their extinction. (humans).
Mother Nature (God), is always the winner,.. in the end.
.. everyone will get what they are working so hard for,.. death, and extinction.
So Be It",
Scott
Please tell me why the media always compelled to put a "smiley face" on the macabre?
If you're talking about health of the planet, you're dead wrong. It isn't mild and it's going to take a long time for the impact of this oil to go away. What a crock perpetrated by the GOP...vote 'em outta office!
If you really believe breathing/eating/drinking petroleum has "mild" impacts on health, google the consequences on the indigenous people of Peru who've been forced to live with Big Oil and its gooey gifts.
No one can make me believe stopping the oil gusher is really so difficult as BP and Govt makes it seem. I understand it is one mile down where pressure is thousands of pounds per squre inch, but the solution is basically the same as on dry land: this is a plumbing problem and should be an easy fix.
I don't understand the full motive but I bet conspiracy. Bush ignored 9/11, ignored Katrina, and Obama ignored Gulf Oil Gush. I'm betting too that Obama put lots of pressure on Louisiana local and state govt not to initiate measures to protect the shores until given the green light from on high, the effin White House; and if that's not the case then I would have to call Jindal a patsy or a criminal also for Not taking action: he could have commandeered warehouse full of BP oil absorbing material; could have built up marshes with tons of loose hay as a buffer and absorber; he did nothing. Oh sure they all made a lot of noise, but that is the definition of "grand standing"; in the end, they were either incapable of leading or criminals. Since 9/11 I have not seen any sign that our "leaders" care one iota for the American people, the citizens of this once great country. I think Govt is overrun with criminals from Obama on down, and hope they see justice in their lifetime. In any case, Dec21, 2012 is looking more and more like not only the end of a Mayan calendar but possibly the end of our physical world.
Trumpsahead
Please check the record, Jindal ask permission to build sand berms (sand islands) early on, two weeks letter the "administration" gave permission to do 2% of what was requested. BP and or the Fed were dragging their feet. Jindal told Shaw to go to work then ask BP to pay the cost. The Fed stopped the dredging because the sand being used was in a "sensitive" area. Told dredging crew to use sand a mile or so further away. Jindal asked Obama to get the people out of the way. BP puts on a pony show for the news camera. Look on utube for THE SHORT FILM BP DOESN'T WANT YOU TO SEE. I believe BP is more interested in trade of carbon than oil. More money there if cap and trade is made law. Obama is using Cloward-Piven ideas to push his agenda. Government expansion. How well has the Fed performed here? Why has he refused assistance from 13 nations who have past proven experience? Why has he not lifted the union protecting Jones Act? Gov. Jindal and other LA officials are working hard to reduce damage. The Federal Government is a constant road block. My wife compiles a daily report for the state agency of which she is a part. MUCH of the story is not being reported.
Other countries say they can clean the gulf in three months, our coast guard says it will take them 9 months. A Texas man had 13 skimmer barges ready to go. Filled out all the paper work but could not use them because they were made in Newfoundland, not in USA. Is this a Federal Government exacerbated disaster?
Booming - it was not done properly utube - Booming 101 (lots of profane language)
Google "Oil Sponge" non-polluting oil converting product, does not need to be retrieved.
check my postings on twitter @ggallman
I agree with Jensen. This was obviously written to get people to see the title, " Health impact of oil murky — and mild — so far". Nothing else.
Just research results of Exxon Valdez spill and how many people and animal species were effected! 11 suicides, countless deaths of clean up workers, countless people still ill and dying. Species of fish that never recovered, species that were deformed, species that are just coming back after 20 years. The impact on the economy of a relatively small population of Prince William Sound......then look at the millions of people on the Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida and multiply those effects!!!! HORRIFYING FUTURE FOR THE GULF COAST!!!! BP and the Government are lying when they say we can clean this up. THIS AREA WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.....NEVER!!!!