44
Gràbsch - Health effects of mineral oil and dispersants
in humans after exposure to dispersants and oil-dispersant mixtures. Therefore, health-
related long-term effects cannot be excluded.
The Prestige oil spill was the only case where long-term endpoints were investigated.
From a scientific viewpoint, all existing studies on the human health effects of oil spills with or
without the use of dispersants show limitations. In many studies, the control groups or base
line data were not suitable. In general, there is a lack of confirmed exposure scenarios in
cluding measurements of the air and water pollutants. Depending on the type of clean-up
activity the exposure scenario will change significantly. A precise definition of sub-groups in
the population exposed to the spill is essential. However, some general conclusions can be
drawn from these studies:
Oil mediated effects during clean-up activities after oil spills are irritation of skin, eyes and
mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Headache and the impact on consciousness
could be also oil mediated and could be additionally favored by heat or overexertion during
the clean-up activities. Previously mentioned symptoms could be minimized due to a clear
risk communication and a briefing for the use of the personal protective equipment of the
clean-up workers before starting clean-up activities. Orthopedic symptoms are probably the
consequence of the unwonted physical exertion and therefore the symptoms are not directly
oil mediated effects. Injuries and accidents are directly influenced by the kind of clean-up
activity, but could be also triggered by other symptoms like headache, impact on conscious
ness or eye irritations.
During oil spills, several other factors contribute to health effects, like mixed low-level expo
sure of numerous compounds, the personal health risk, psycho-social strains and other fac
tors like local climate. With the use of dispersants, there will be a shift in the chemical fate, a
changed exposure situation and there will be different risk groups.
There is a need for more toxicological data on the dispersant formulas, on their components
and the specific oil-dispersant mixtures. Study designs should consider acute and repeated
exposures with different ways of applications.
For future oil spills there is a strong need for preparing studies on human health effects. An
already prepared study plan for epidemiological surveys is essential and should include con
siderations about different exposure groups, suitable control groups or the enquiry of base
line data, a strategy for exposure measurement and options for long-term follow-ups. In case
of an oil spill, there will not be enough time to plan and prepare well-organized studies. Only
well prepared studies will eliminate the existing data gaps and uncertainties for a better and a
more reliable health risk assessment.
References
Aguilera F, Mendez J, Pasaro E, Laffon B. 2010. Review on the effects of exposure to spilled
oils on human health. Journal of Applied Toxicology 30(4):291 -301.
Carrasco JM, Lope V, Perez-Gomez B, Aragones N, Suarez B, Lopez-Abente G, Rodriguez-
Artalejo F, Pollan M. 2006. Association between health information, use of protective
devices and occurrence of acute health problems in the Prestige oil spill clean-up in
Asturias and Cantabria (Spain): a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 6:1.
Carrasco JM, Perez-Gomez B, Garcia-Mendizabal MJ, Lope V, Aragones N, Forjaz MJ,
Guallar-Castillon P, Lopez-Abente G, Rodriguez-Artalejo F, Pollan M. 2007. Health-
related quality of life and mental health in the medium-term aftermath of the Prestige oil
spill in Galiza (Spain): a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 7:245.
