Poison Control Center Deepwater Horizon Script

(Updated on June 3, 2010)

On Tuesday, April 20, 2010 an offshore oil drilling platform, Deepwater Horizon,
exploded in the Gulf of Mexico near Louisiana. The rig, owned by Transocean Ltd, was
under contract to British Petroleum. Submerged at the bottom of the Gulf, the rig
continues to discharge 5,000+ barrels (210,000 gallons) per day. For additional
information, please visit www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com.

Information for the Public

General Information

At this time, there are no indications of any health risks to Floridians due to the
Deepwater Horizon incident. The Department of Health (DOH) and DEP are closely
monitoring health and environmental impacts to Florida and will issue an advisory if
conditions become unsafe.

• For most people, occasional brief contact with a small amount of oil, while not
recommended, will do no harm. If contact occurs, wash the area with soap and water.

• Consider the following tips for avoiding negative health impacts from an oiled shoreline:

 Avoid entering areas where oil can be seen or smelled.

 Avoid direct skin contact with oil, oil-contaminated water and sediments.
 Do not swim or ski in areas affected by the oil spill, and if traveling through
the area by boat, take precautions when hoisting the boat anchor. If oil makes
contact with skin, wash it off with soap and water.
 Do not fish in oil spill-affected waters.
 Do not harvest or eat dead fish, fish with oily residue or fish that have a
petroleum odor.
 Avoid boating through oil slicks or sheens.
 Young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune
systems, and individuals with underlying respiratory conditions should avoid
the area.
 Prevent pets from entering oil-contaminated areas.

• To learn more about the potential health impacts and first aid measures regarding the
Deepwater Horizon oil spill, download the frequently asked questions at:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/files/faq_doh_051010.pdf

Food Safety

Is Gulf Coast seafood safe to eat?

Yes, seafood purchased at commercial outlets is safe to eat. During a disaster, people
may worry that the food they eat could be contaminated. To make sure the food supply
is protected, federal and state agencies are monitoring the oil spill and its potential
impact on the safety of seafood harvested from the area.

How can oil affect seafood?

Crude oil may taint seafood with chemical flavors and odors. Federal and state agencies
regulate the presence of chemicals in seafood.

Is seafood from my local market safe?

The spill has not reached the coastal area and
affected. Usual safe food handling practices
Federal and State governments have strong
seafood safety and to prohibit harvesting from
products out of the market.
the seafood available now has not been
should protect people eating seafood.
systems in place to test and monitor
affected areas, keeping potentially oiled

Who is responsible for ensuring seafood safety?

Federal and state agencies are working together to ensure seafood safety. If managers
determine that seafood may be affected, the next step is to assess whether seafood is
tainted or contaminated to levels that could pose a risk to human health through
consumption. A combination of sensory analysis (of tissue) and chemical analysis (of
water, sediment, and tissue) is conducted to determine if seafood is safe following an oil
spill. The results will be made pubic as soon as possible.

Who inspects the seafood to make sure it is safe to eat?

Federal and state agencies test and evaluate seafood to ensure its safety. Program
experts taste and smell samples to detect oil contamination. These results are compared
with the results of chemical analysis.

In response to the current oil spill, the program is implementing a plan of operation to
assist both industry and government to determine the extent if any of contamination in
seafood.

Water

Is my water safe to drink?

Most drinking water comes from surface water and wells inland. The oil spill is not likely
to affect drinking water. If you have any concerns about your water, contact your water
utility. Federal and state agencies are collecting water samples along affected
coastlines to determine potential risks to public health and the environment.

Who is sampling and monitoring the water?

Federal and state agencies are tracking the prevalence of potentially harmful chemicals
in the water as a result of this spill to determine the level of risk posed to fish and other
wildlife. While these chemicals can impact ecosystems, drinking water supplies are not
expected to be affected. Monitoring information helps estimate the amount of these
compounds that may reach ecological systems. When combined with available
information on the toxicity of these compounds, scientists can estimate the likely
magnitude of effects on fish, wildlife, and human health. Drinking water supplies are
routinely tested, as required by law. That information must be made available by the
water company supplying drinking water to the customer.
How will I know if my water isn't safe to drink?
The company that supplies your water is responsible for routinely monitoring the water it
supplies. You will be notified if your water doesn't meet federal and state standards.The
notice will describe any precautions you need to take, such as boiling your water. Follow
the advice of your water supplier or local health department if you ever receive such a
notice.

My water tastes or smells different. What should I do?

If you have any concerns about your water, you should contact your water supplier or
local health department. The oil spill is not expected to affect drinking water. If your
water supply does not meet federal or state standards your water supplier must notify
you.

Will my private well be impacted by the oil spill?

No. The oil spill is not expected to impact domestic wells.

Air Quality

Is the air safe to breathe?

At the present time, there are no detectable effects on Florida’s air quality due to the
spill. State and federal agencies are working together to answer questions about how
the oil spill and burning oil may affect air quality. They are helping to make sure that air
sampling plans are useful for public health protection.

How is the air in my community being tested?

Currently, air samples are being gathered by state and federal agencies 24 hours per
day. These samples are tested for vapors that may evaporate from the water/oil mixture
in the Gulf as well as for particulate matter or fine particles that may result from the
smoke generated by the controlled burns when they restart. The levels of particulate
matter and volatile organic compound chemicals are being tracked closely. For
additional information check this website: http://gulfcoast.airnowtech.org/.

What is particulate matter?

Particulate matter, also known as particle pollution or PM, is a mixture of extremely small
particles and liquid droplets made up of a number of components, including acids (such
as nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles.

The size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems. EPA
is screening for PM that are 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller because those are
the particles that generally pass through the throat and nose and enter the lungs.

Air Quality Guide for Ozone and Particle Pollution

 Air Quality Air Quality Ozone Concentration Ozone Concentration Particle Pollution
Category Index (AQI) (parts per million) 8- (parts per billion) 8- Concentration
hour average unless hour average unless (µg/m3) 24-hour daily
AQI=100 noted noted average EPA's air
corresponds to quality
standard
Good 0 to 50 0.0 to 0.059 0 to 59 0.0 to 15.4

What does it mean?

No health impacts are expected when air quality is in this range.

Moderate 51 to 100 0.060 to 0.075 60 to 75 15.5 to 40.4

What does it mean?

Ozone: Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing

prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.

Particle Pollution: Unusually sensitive people should consider

reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.

Unhealthy 101 to 150 0.076 to 0.095 76 to 95 40.5 to 65.4

for Sensitive
Groups
What does it mean?

Ozone: Active children and adults, and people with respiratory

disease should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

Particle Pollution: People with heart or lung disease, older

adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.

Unhealthy 151 to 200 0.096 to 0.115 96 to 115 65.5 to 150.4

What does it mean?

Ozone: Active children and adults, and people with respiratory

disease, such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion: everyone
else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion.

Particle Pollution: People with heart or lung disease, older

adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.

Very 201 to 300 0.116 to 0.374 116 to 374 150.5 to 250.4

Unhealthy

What does it mean?

Ozone: Active children and adults, and people with respiratory

 disease, such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion: everyone
else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion.

Particle Pollution: People with heart or lung disease, older

adults, and children should avoid all physical activity outdoors.
Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.

Why is burning the oil slick a good idea?

Burning is one of several techniques that may be used to minimize the consequences of
an oil spill by consuming the oil and removing it from the water.

What are the effects of burning oil?

If responders burn oil, some “Particulate Matter” (PM) may reach the shore. Particulate
Matter is a mix of very small particles and liquid droplets found in the air. It also comes
from many different sources such as diesel exhaust, smoke from fuel-burning power
plants, fires, and unpaved roads. Particulate Matter varies in size and the smallest
particulate matter can get deep into your lungs.

Particulate Matter may not reach the shore if the fires are far away. When crews burn
the spilled oil they carefully watch the weather, wind, and water conditions and stop the
burn right away if there is any problem.
Federal and state agencies are monitoring air quality in the region. The maps and charts
at http://gulfcoast.airnowtech.org/ show current ozone and fine particulate Air Quality
Index values at air quality monitors located along the Gulf coast. These maps and charts
will be updated hourly to show the most recent conditions.
Will burning affect other response activities?
Burn operations will not affect other response activities such as on-water skimming,
dispersant application, and subsurface wellhead intervention operations. No populated
areas are expected to be affected by the burn operations and there are no anticipated
impacts to marine mammals and sea turtles.

What other conditions are considered before initiating a burn?

Weather, wind, and water conditions are considered and safe distances are adhered to
at all times. Before specially-trained crews ignite the oil, the team performs pre-ignition
checks that include communications and safe equipment position verification. The oil is
monitored throughout the burn. If any concerns arise, the burn can be immediately
terminated.

What should I do if I smell or see smoke?

If you smell or see smoke, or know that fires are nearby, you can take the following
steps to protect yourself and your family:

 Limit your exposure to smoke: stay inside and use your air conditioner set to a
recirculation mode. If you do not have an air conditioner you may wish to leave
the area until the smoke is completely gone.
  Avoid activities that put extra demands on your lungs and heart. These include
exercising or physical chores, both outdoors and indoors.
 Dust masks, bandanas, or other cloths (even if wet) will not protect you from
smoke.
 If you have a chronic respiratory condition such as asthma or cardiovascular
disease, you may be at greater risk, and should consider leaving the area.

What is causing the odor?

If oil is close to the coastline, people may be able to smell the oil spill from the
shore. The odor contains the same chemicals as the gas you use to fill your car. The
smell comes from chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). You can
smell these VOCs at levels well below those that would make you sick. Exposure to low
levels of VOCs may cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. It is possible that
people with asthma or other respiratory ailments may be more sensitive to the effects of
inhaled VOCs. Additional information can be found at this website:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html

What should I do if I smell these odors?

This odor may cause symptoms such as headaches or nausea. For your own comfort,
limit your exposure to the odor by staying indoors. To the extent possible, close
windows and doors, turn your air conditioner on and set to a recirculation mode. If you
are experiencing severe incidents of nausea, shortness of breath or chest pain, or other
medical issues, please seek medical care as soon as possible. [If the person calling is
having these symtoms, this should be handled as an exposure call.]

What if the odor gets worse?

Wind and weather play a role in the strength of the odors and how long the odors last.
Please stay tuned to your local radio, TV news stations and newspapers for further
information. You will be notified to take additional precautions if federal and state
agencies learn of worsening conditions.

What are Federal and state agencies doing to monitor the air?
Federal and state agencies are working around the clock to monitor air quality and keep
communities informed. Currently, air monitoring systems are stationed along the Gulf
Coast.

1. Mobile air monitoring buses equipped with Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzers,
or TAGAs, for instant-result air monitoring have been brought in. TAGA Vans
will be monitoring the odors as well as other volatile compounds.
2. Responders on the ground have portable equipment that can detect any
spikes in the levels of odor-causing compounds.
3. Aircraft are also deployed to collect air sampling data, specifically tasked to
detect the presence of increased odors and sulfur dioxide resulting from the oil
spill.
4. Additional monitors are in place to further monitor the chemical levels in the
air.
 5. The Gulf Coast states have permanent stationary air monitors that are working
to monitor general air quality. Over the next days and weeks of the oil spill
response, these monitoring stations will detect possible emissions of pollution
from the fires associated with burning off the oil spill.

Should a health concern arise, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
will work quickly with other federal and state agencies to make sure the public is
informed.

Light Crude Oil and Your Health

What is light crude oil?

Light crude oil is a mix of thousands of different chemicals, but it is mostly hydrogen and
carbon. It comes out of the ground as liquid petroleum.

How does light crude oil spread?

When oil is spilled in the ocean, it spreads in the water, mostly on the surface. The oil
slick formed may stay together, or it may break up in rough seas. Waves, currents, and
wind spread the oil over large areas. A small part of the oil may dissolve in the water.
The amount of oil dissolved in the water increases with the use of a dispersant. The oil
also can spread in the water, join with the water to form a thick substance that is like hair
mousse, and then sink, or form into sticky tar balls.

What are the health threats of light crude oil?

For most people brief contact with a small amount of oil will do no harm. Some people
are more sensitive to chemicals, including those found in crude oil. These people may
develop a rash or skin irritation.

Skin contact with crude oil that lasts a long time may cause skin reddening, swelling, and
burning. The skin effects may get worse if the skin is exposed to the sun. Skin contact
can also make you more likely to develop a rash or skin infection.
Light crude oil may also be irritating if it contacts your eyes.
Swallowing small amounts (less than a coffee cup) of oil may cause upset stomach,
vomiting, and diarrhea, yet is unlikely to have long-lasting health effects.

How can I avoid the health threats of light crude oil?

Avoid skin contact with oil. If you are involved in clean-up efforts, wear gloves, eye
protection, and clothing that cover your arms and legs.

If you get oil on your skin, wash with soap and water, baby oil, petroleum jelly, or a
cleaning paste for hands such as those sold at auto parts stores. Do not use solvents,
gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, or similar products to clean oil off skin.
If you get oil in your eyes, flush them with water for 15 minutes.
If you swallow oil, do not try to vomit, as this may get oil into your lungs.
If you inhale oil vapors, or smoke from burning oil, move to an area where the air is more
clear. If you have inhaled a lot of vapor or smoke and feel short of breath, have chest
pain or tightness, or dizziness, seek medical attention immediately.
Oil Spill Dispersants and Your Health

What are oil spill dispersants?

Oil spill dispersants are products that break an oil slick into small drops and stop the oil
from coming back together to make a new slick. They do not remove oil from water but
they do make it easier for nature to break down the oil. Broken down oil is less likely to
stick to animals, rocks, and plants.

How are oil spill dispersants used?

Oil spill dispersants are sprayed on top of a slick from planes and ships. They can also
be forced under the surface of the water to break up oil before it reaches the surface.

What are the health threats of oil spill dispersants?

For most people brief contact with a small amount of oil spill dispersants will do no harm.
If your skin is exposed to dispersants for a long time, a rash and dry skin could develop.
Dispersants may also irritate your eyes. If you breathe in dispersants for a long time or
several times they can irritate your nose, throat, and lungs. Swallowing dispersants may
cause upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you are exposed to high levels of
dispersants for a long time or several times they may also cause central nervous system
effects, sleepiness, damage to your blood, kidney or liver, and a metallic taste in your
mouth.

How can I avoid the health threats of oil spill dispersants?

Most people will not be exposed to enough oil spill dispersants to be affected. If you are
working on the spill: wear nitrile or PVC gloves, coveralls, boots, and chemical splash
goggles to keep dispersants off your skin and out of your eyes. If you breathe in
dispersants, move to an area where the air is clearer. If you get dispersants on your
skin, immediately wash with soap and water. If symptoms develop, seek medical
attention. If you get dispersants in your eyes, flush them with water for 15 minutes.
If you swallow dispersants, do not try to vomit, as this may get dispersants into your
lungs and cause pneumonia. Wash out your mouth with water and seek medical
attention immediately.

Information for Health Professionals

Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons

What are total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH)?

Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), is a term used to describe a large family of several
hundred chemical compounds that originally come from crude oil. Crude oil is used to
make petroleum products, which can contaminate the environment. Because there are
so many different chemicals in crude oil and in other petroleum products, it is not
practical to measure each one separately. However, it is useful to measure the total
amount of TPH at a site.

TPH is a mixture of chemicals, but they are all made mainly from hydrogen and carbon,
called hydrocarbons. Scientists divide TPH into groups of petroleum hydrocarbons that
act alike in soil or water. These groups are called petroleum hydrocarbon fractions. Each
fraction contains many individual chemicals.
Some chemicals that may be found in TPH are hexane, jet fuels, mineral oils, benzene,
toluene, xylenes, naphthalene, and fluorene, as well as other petroleum products and
gasoline components. However, it is likely that samples of TPH will contain only some,
or a mixture, of these chemicals.

What happens to total petroleum hydrocarbons when they enter the environment?

 TPH may enter the environment through accidents, from industrial releases, or
as byproducts from commercial or private uses.
 TPH may be released directly into water through spills or leaks.
 Some TPH fractions will float on the water and form surface films.
 Other TPH fractions will sink to the bottom sediments.
 Bacteria and microorganisms in the water may break down some of the TPH
fractions.
 Some TPH fractions will move into the soil where they may stay for a long time.

How might my patient or I be exposed to total petroleum hydrocarbons?

 Everyone is exposed to TPH from many sources.

 Breathing air at gasoline stations, using chemicals at home or work, or using
certain pesticides.
 Drinking water contaminated with TPH.
 Working in occupations that use petroleum products.
 Living in an area near a spill or leak of petroleum products.
 Touching soil contaminated with TPH.

How can total petroleum hydrocarbons affect my patient or my health?

Some of the TPH compounds can affect your central nervous system after prolonged
exposure. Some of the compounds can cause headaches and dizziness at high levels in
the air. Some compounds can cause a nerve disorder called "peripheral neuropathy,"
consisting of numbness in the feet and legs. This happens when exposures occur over a
long period of time. Other TPH compounds can cause effects on the blood, immune
system, lungs, skin, and eyes.

Animal studies have shown effects on the lungs, central nervous system, liver, and
kidney from exposure to TPH compounds. Some TPH compounds have also been
shown to affect reproduction and the developing fetus in animals.

How likely are total petroleum hydrocarbons to cause cancer?

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that one TPH
compound (benzene) is carcinogenic to humans. IARC has determined that other TPH
compounds (benzo[a]pyrene and gasoline) are probably and possibly carcinogenic to
humans. Most of the other TPH compounds are considered not to be classifiable by
IARC.

Is there a medical test to show whether my patient or I have been exposed to total
petroleum hydrocarbons?
There is no medical test that shows if you have been exposed to TPH. However, there
are methods to determine if you have been exposed to some TPH compounds. Benzene
can be measured in exhaled air and a breakdown product of benzene can be measured
in urine. Other TPH compounds can be measured in blood, urine, breath, and some
body tissues. However, these tests are not generally available. They also do not help
assess the severity of the exposures, or allow physicians to determine how likely health
effects are to occur as a result of exposure. These tests would be most useful to confirm
exposure, and for research purposes.

Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health?

There are no regulations or advisories specific to TPH. The following are
recommendations for some of the TPH fractions and compounds:

The EPA requires that spills or accidental releases into the environment of 10 pounds or
more of benzene be reported to the EPA.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has set an exposure limit of 500
parts of petroleum distillates per million parts of air.

Health Surveillance

How will the potential health effects be tracked?

The Gulf Coast Oil Spill is likely to cause greater impacts on the ecosystem than human
health effects. However, some people may be affected, if they come into contact with
contaminated air, water, animals, or seafood. The people most likely to be affected are
those working to clean up the oil spill. The CDC, along with the affected Gulf Coast
states, has developed a surveillance plan to track the potential short-term health effects
related to the oil spill in the affected communities.

The CDC recommends using existing mechanisms for surveillance of acute health
conditions. However, if existing mechanisms do not exist within an affected Gulf Coast
state, targeted drop-in health care surveillance is recommended. CDC has developed a
surveillance tool to be used for drop-in surveillance to monitor health complaints.
Complaints captured by the tool include upper respiratory conditions; cardiovascular
conditions; eye conditions; and stomach complaints such as nausea.

If people who are experiencing these symptoms have also been exposed to the oil spill,
further study may be necessary.

In Florida, health effects reported to the Florida Poison Information Centers will be
reported routinely to the Florida Department of Health.

How will calls to the Poison Centers be tracked?

The CDC has reached out to the 7 Poison Centers in the four Gulf Coast states
(Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida) and has requested that any calls related
to the oil spill—including informational calls and potential exposures—be assigned a
temporary code. This coding will allow CDC to track the number of Poison Center calls
and potential health effects. The National Poison Data System is being used to look at
human health effects.

Dispersants
What are oil dispersants?
Dispersants are specially designed oil spill products that are composed of detergent-like
compounds known as surfactants in low toxicity solvents. Dispersants do not remove oil
from the water, but instead break the oil slick into small droplets. These droplets
disperse into the water and are further broken down by nature. Dispersants also prevent
the oil droplets from coming back together and forming another surface slick. Dispersed
oil droplets are less likely to stick to birds and other animals, shoreline rocks, and
vegetation.
How are dispersants used on oil spills?
Dispersants can be applied to oil spills either by aircraft or by ships with spraying
equipment. They are also used by injection below water to break up oil before it reaches
the surface. The use of dispersants is restricted under the National Oil and Hazardous
Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). Federal and state agencies have
agreements establishing areas where rapid decisions on dispersants may be made by
the federal on-scene coordinators. Areas outside those designated require additional
approval of other agencies identified in the NCP.

What types of dispersants are used on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill?
COREXIT ® 9500 and 9527 are the two types of dispersants currently being used on the
Mississippi Canyon Oil Spill.

 Ingredients are not considered to cause chemical sensitization; the dispersants

contain proven, biodegradable and low toxicity surfactants.
 The dispersants use an solvent delivery system that is attracted to oil which has
shown to be effective in penetrating surfactants.
 The mixture is slightly flammable and combustible.
 Because the specific gravity and density are lower than water, the material
should primarily be found at the surface.
 The substances are very slightly acidic (less acid than vinegar), and do not
evaporate much. (pH6.2, vapor pressue at 15.5 mmHg at 100° F/37.9° C)

What personal protection equipment should be used with COREXIT 9500/9527?

For hand protection, use nitrile or PVC gloves. Wear standard protective clothing
(coveralls and boots) and chemical splash goggles. General ventilation is recommended.

What are the potential health threats from COREXIT 9500/9527 exposure?
Once the dispersant is applied to the oil slick, the dispersant begins to break down in the
environment. In aquatic environments it begins to break down within16 days.

The most likely exposure will occur to staff handling and transporting the material, and
health effects may include:

 Defatting and drying of the skin and possibly dermatitis, as a result of prolonged
exposure.
 Chemical pneumonitis, if aspirated into the lungs. Although minimal ingestion
occurs with inhaling the substance, most people would not have significant
ingestion.
  Repeated or excessive exposure to 2-butoxyethanol may cause central nervous
system depression, nausea, vomiting, anesthetic or narcotic effects, injury to red
blood cells (hemolysis), kidney or the liver, and a metallic taste.
 Respiratory irritation may occur as a result of repeated and prolonged inhalation
exposure.
 Eye irritation may occur as a result of repeated and prolonged exposure.

How should exposure to COREXIT 9500/9527 be treated?

Skin Contamination. Frequent or prolonged contact with product may cause defatting
and drying of the skin, leading to discomfort and dermatitis. Skin contact may aggravate
an existing dermatological condition. Immediately wash with soap and water.

Ocular Exposure. Prolonged ocular exposure can result in irritation. No permanent

damage is likely to occur. The immediate treatment is to flush the eye with water for 15
minutes.

Ingestion Exposure. Ingestion can cause chemical pneumonitis if the ingested

dispersants are aspirated into the lungs (due to vomiting). This is due to the petroleum
distillates and aromatic solvents. To treat individuals exposed via ingestion, do not
induce vomiting as this may lead to aspiration of the mixture into the lung. If conscious,
wash out mouth and give water to drink.

Inhalation Exposure. Repeated or prolonged exposure may irritate the respiratory tract.
Remove patient to fresh air and provide oxygen support if needed.

For additional information:

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/oil_spill/dispersants_hcp_info.htm

Light Crude Oil

What is light crude oil?

Crude oil is a naturally occurring liquid composed mostly of hydrogen and carbon. It is
usually found underground but can also be found above ground in oil seeps or tar pits.
Crude oil is called “liquid petroleum” as it comes out of the ground. Light crude oil is a
complex mixture containing thousands of different chemicals. Light crude is relatively
fluid (low viscosity), will float on water (low specific gravity). Because crude oil has a high
proportion of light hydrocarbon fractions, it has a high American Petroleum Institute (API)
gravity, which means it is lighter than some other types of oils.
What happens when an oil spill occurs?
Light crude contains volatile organic compounds which evaporate. Thus, light crude oil
will lose up to 10 to 15% of its volume immediately, and up to 25% of its volume within
24 hours. How much of its volume is lost depends on the surface-to-volume ratio of the
bulk oil. That is, oil that is spread out such as across the surface of the ocean will
evaporate faster than oil in a container. Events that disperse the oil, such as a well
blowout, can affect this. Thus, crude oil in a pool or tank will retain more of its volatile
components than crude in an oil slick.
When oil is spilled in the ocean, it initially spreads primarily on the surface of the water.
How much it spreads depends on its relative density and composition. The oil slick
formed may remain together, or, if seas are rough, it may break up. Waves, water
currents, and wind can force the oil slick to drift over large areas, impacting the open
ocean, coastal areas, and marine and terrestrial habitats in the path of the drift.

Oil that contains volatile organic compounds partially evaporates, losing 20 to 40 percent
of its mass and becoming denser and more viscous. A small percentage of oil may
dissolve in the water. The oil residue also can spread almost invisibly in the water or
combine with water to form a thick mousse-like substance. Part of the oil waste may sink
with suspended particulate matter, and the remainder eventually congeals into sticky tar
balls.

Over time, oil waste deteriorates (weathers) and disintegrates because of exposure to
sunlight (photolysis) and biodegradation. The rate of biodegradation depends on the
availability of nutrients, oxygen, and microorganisms, as well as temperature.

What happens if my patient or I come in contact with a tar ball?

Although not recommended, for most people, an occasional brief contact with a small
amount of oil will do no harm. However, some people are especially sensitive to
chemicals, including the hydrocarbons found in crude oil and petroleum products. They
may have a reaction, or develop dermatitis or a skin rash, even from brief contact with
oil. In general, dermal contact with oil should be avoided.

If contact occurs; immediately wash the area with soap and water, baby oil, petroleum
jelly or a widely used, safe cleaning compound such as the cleaning paste sold at auto
parts stores.

Avoid using solvents, gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, or similar products on the skin.
These hydrocarbon-based products, when applied to skin, may present a greater health
hazard than the smeared tar ball itself.

What happens with prolonged skin contact with light crude oil?
Prolonged skin contact with crude oil and petroleum products can cause skin erythema
(reddening), edema (swelling), and burning. The skin effects can worsen by subsequent
exposure to sunlight, because trace contaminants in the oil, such as the PAHs, are more
toxic when exposed to light. Skin contact can result in defatting of the skin, increasing
the possibility of dermatitis and secondary skin infections.

Some persons may be, or may become, sensitive to the crude oil. Depending on the
amount and duration of exposure, skin contact with crude oil may be mildly to
moderately irritating; in a sensitive individual, the skin effects may be more pronounced
after a smaller or shorter exposure.

What happens if light crude oil is ingested?

Swallowing crude oil, unless in large quantities (e.g., > eight ounces) is unlikely to result
in more than transient nausea, possibly vomiting, gastrointestinal tract disturbances, and
self-limiting diarrhea. However, vomiting and subsequent aspiration of hydrocarbons
such as crude oil may result in significant lung injury.
What are the recommendations for treating skin contamination?
Generally, the presence of crude oil on the patient should present no major
complications; it can be wiped off whenever convenient in the treatment process

What are the recommendations for treating wound contamination?

Current practice for external and superficial wound cleaning should be modified to
include use of waterless hand cleaners, white petrolatum, mineral oil, corn oil, or
Neosporin (triple antibiotic) ointment. These agents must be removed as completely as
possible from within the wound after efforts to remove the crude oil have been
completed.

What are the recommendations for treating exposure to the eyes?

Ocular exposure can result in slight stinging and temporary redness. No permanent
damage should result. The immediate treatment is to flush the eye with large amounts of
water for 15 minutes. If the person wears contacts, these should be removed first.

What are the recommendations for treating ingestion of light crude oil?
Following ingestion of a small amount of crude oil clinical signs of toxicity are generally
limited to mild stomach disturbances. The main danger of swallowing crude oil is that it
can also get into the lungs causing chemical pneumonitis, for example, if ingested oil is
vomited and subsequently aspirated into the lungs. To treat patients exposed via
ingestion, do not induce vomiting as this may lead to aspiration of the crude oil into the
lung.

What are the recommendations for treating inhalation of light crude oil?
Inhalation of fresh crude oil could result in inhalation of associated volatile hydrocarbons.
Symptoms including headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, or vomiting, may occur
from breathing vapors given off by crude oil. Inhalation of weathered crude oil is less
likely to occur at levels to cause symptoms because of the loss of volatile hydrocarbons.
Remove the patient to a clear area and provide supplemental oxygen if needed.

Information for Response Workers

What Are the Operations and Hazards During Shoreline and Vessel Operations?
If you are involved in response and cleanup of weathered oil, you might be:
• Placing or recovering booms
• Pressure washing boats
• Skimming and pumping oil (inshore)
• Picking up oil-covered debris
• Loading and unloading booms, supplies
• Conducting other shoreline cleanup operations
• Launching and/or landing boats

Hazards from these operations can include:

• Heat stress – can range from heat exhaustion (headaches, dizziness, weakness,
fainting) to heat stroke (hot, dry skin; no longer sweating; confusion). The onset of heat
stroke is an emergency and requires immediate medical care.
• Sunburn and sun poisoning
• Skin and eye irritation or rashes (dermatitis) from contact with “weathered” oil
• Cuts, sprains and other injuries
• Drowning
• Being hit by earthmoving or other equipment
• Traffic hazards and car accidents
• Bites from snakes, fire ants and mosquitoes, rodents and alligators
• Lightning and severe weather
• Back injury from lifting and carrying
• Noise
• Exhaustion and fatigue from long hours and demanding work

Exposure to any of these hazards depends on what you are actually doing and where
you are working. For example, heat stress is a real concern for all outdoor activities
because the weather is hot and humid. If you are pulling in oil-covered booms, then
contact with weathered oil, drowning, and back injuries are also concerns. All of these
should be treated as they would normally be treated.

Most jobs will require some type of PPE. In general, your employer needs to
provide PPE and must train you on how to use it. Examples of jobs and PPE
include:

• For jobs that do not involve contact with oil, like picking up clean debris along the
shoreline, employers need to provide you work gloves.
• For jobs involving oil-contaminated debris and those involving contact with oil or other
chemicals, employers need to provide additional PPE such as oil- or chemical-resistant
gloves, boots and coveralls.
• For jobs involving work on vessels, docks or other areas with potential drowning
hazards, employers need to provide life jackets (personal floatation devices).

Your employer must determine the safe work practices and PPE that are appropriate for
each job. This information must be provided to you during training. More information is
available in the OSHA/National Institute for Environmental Health Science (NIEHS)
Safety and Health Awareness for Oil Spill Cleanup Workers
(https://www.osha.gov/Publications/Oil_Spill_Booklet_05.11_v4.pdf) and on
OSHA’s Oil Spill webpage at https://www.osha.gov/oilspills/index.html.

3. Develop a health and safety site plan and share it with you. The plan must contain
information about the job and work site hazards, and spell out the requirements for safe
work practices, personal protective equipment (PPE), training and emergencies.

What Other Worker Safety Requirements Apply to Oil Spill Response and
Cleanup?
Your employer must follow the other requirements in OSHA’s Hazardous Waste
Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) standard and the OSHA standards
for other hazards, equipment, or operations that might be present at your work site (for
example noise, PPE and powered industrial trucks). You can find more information
about these requirements in other OSHA fact sheets and on OSHA’s website at
www.osha.gov.

What are my rights?

You have the right to a safe workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
(OSH Act) was passed to prevent workers from being killed or seriously harmed at work.
The law requires that employers provide their employees with working conditions that
are free of known dangers. OSHA sets and enforces protective workplace safety and
health standards. OSHA also provides information, training and assistance to workers
and employers. Workers may file a complaint to have OSHA inspect their workplace if
they believe that their employer is not following OSHA standards or there are serious
hazards. Contact OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) if you have questions or want to file
a complaint. We will keep your information confidential. We are here to help you.

OSHA’s top priority is to ensure that oil spill response and cleanup operations are done
as safely, effectively and efficiently as possible. This fact sheet provides basic
information about common operations, hazards, training and worker protection. If you
are unsure or think your workplace is unsafe, STOP and ASK your supervisor. You can
call OSHA at one of its Gulf Coast Area Offices during normal working hours or
at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) or TTY 1-877-889-5627 for further information.

Volunteers should be protected as well. For information, call the BP Hotline at 1-866-
448-5816.

Federal and State Resources

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/

Deepwater Horizon Unified Command

http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/site/2931/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

http://emergency.cdc.gov/chemical/oil_spill_gm_2010.asp

United States Department of Health & Human Services

http://www.hhs.gov/gulfoilspill/

United States Environmental Protection Agency

http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/

National Institutes of Health

http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/dimrc/oilspills.html

United States Food and Drug Administration

http://www.fda.gov/Food/ucm210970.htm

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

http://www.noaa.gov/

United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration

http://www.osha.gov/oilspills/index.html