1
|
Fedan JS, Thompson JA, Sager TM, Roberts JR, Joseph P, Krajnak K, Kan H, Sriram K, Weatherly LM, Anderson SE. Toxicological Effects of Inhaled Crude Oil Vapor. Curr Environ Health Rep 2024; 11:18-29. [PMID: 38267698 PMCID: PMC10907427 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-024-00429-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this review is to assess the toxicological consequences of crude oil vapor (COV) exposure in the workplace through evaluation of the most current epidemiologic and laboratory-based studies in the literature. RECENT FINDINGS Crude oil is a naturally occuring mixture of hydrocarbon deposits, inorganic and organic chemical compounds. Workers engaged in upstream processes of oil extraction are exposed to a number of risks and hazards, including getting crude oil on their skin or inhaling crude oil vapor. There have been several reports of workers who died as a result of inhalation of high levels of COV released upon opening thief hatches atop oil storage tanks. Although many investigations into the toxicity of specific hydrocarbons following inhalation during downstream oil processing have been conducted, there is a paucity of information on the potential toxicity of COV exposure itself. This review assesses current knowledge of the toxicological consequences of exposures to COV in the workplace.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey S Fedan
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Janet A Thompson
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA.
| | - Tina M Sager
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Jenny R Roberts
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Pius Joseph
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Kristine Krajnak
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Hong Kan
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Krishnan Sriram
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Lisa M Weatherly
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Stacey E Anderson
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen D, Lawrence KG, Sandler DP. Nontraditional Occupational Exposures to Crude Oil Combustion Disasters and Respiratory Disease Risk: A Narrative Review of Literature. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2023; 23:299-311. [PMID: 37166706 PMCID: PMC10330790 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-023-01078-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Burning of petroleum products has been consistently associated with adverse respiratory health effects. Combustion of crude oil, specifically, produces toxic byproducts, but there have been relatively few studies of health effects. Burning of crude oil is increasingly employed as a means of mitigating environmental disasters despite the potential health risks to workers involved in clean-up efforts. Here, we review epidemiological studies of respiratory effects following unique crude oil burning events to (1) characterize respiratory health effects from this nontraditional occupational exposure and (2) identify approaches used to characterize exposures that could be applied to future disaster-related studies. RECENT FINDINGS We searched PubMed and EMBASE for references from inception to January 30, 2023. We also manually screened references cited in eligible articles. We identified 14 eligible publications. Our review suggests that exposure to crude oil combustion has adverse respiratory effects, including reduced lung function and increased occurrence of respiratory symptoms and disease. However, the evidence is inconsistent, and quality of data varied across studies. While some studies used quantitative, modeled exposure estimates, most used self-reported proxies of exposure. Although disasters involving crude oil combustion are relatively rare, limited evidence suggests that some worker populations may be at risk for respiratory effects from burning exposures in disaster settings. Future studies that use improved exposure assessment methods (e.g., personal monitors, remote sensing data) may help further quantify the respiratory risk from crude oil burning exposures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dazhe Chen
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Kaitlyn G Lawrence
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Dale P Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chen D, Sandler DP, Keil AP, Heiss G, Whitsel EA, Edwards JK, Stewart PA, Stenzel MR, Groth CP, Ramachandran G, Banerjee S, Huynh TB, Jackson WB, Blair A, Lawrence KG, Kwok RK, Engel LS. Volatile Hydrocarbon Exposures and Incident Coronary Heart Disease Events: Up to Ten Years of Follow-up among Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Workers. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:57006. [PMID: 37224072 PMCID: PMC10208425 DOI: 10.1289/ehp11859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) disaster, response and cleanup workers were potentially exposed to toxic volatile components of crude oil. However, to our knowledge, no study has examined exposure to individual oil spill-related chemicals in relation to cardiovascular outcomes among oil spill workers. OBJECTIVES Our aim was to investigate the association of several spill-related chemicals [benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, n-hexane (BTEX-H)] and total hydrocarbons (THC) with incident coronary heart disease (CHD) events among workers enrolled in a prospective cohort. METHODS Cumulative exposures to THC and BTEX-H across the cleanup period were estimated via a job-exposure matrix that linked air measurement data with self-reported DWH spill work histories. We ascertained CHD events following each worker's last day of cleanup work as the first self-reported physician-diagnosed myocardial infarction (MI) or a fatal CHD event. We estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals for the associations of exposure quintiles (Q) with risk of CHD. We applied inverse probability weights to account for bias due to confounding and loss to follow-up. We used quantile g-computation to assess the joint effect of the BTEX-H mixture. RESULTS Among 22,655 workers with no previous MI diagnoses, 509 experienced an incident CHD event through December 2019. Workers in higher quintiles of each exposure agent had increased CHD risks in comparison with the referent group (Q1) of that agent, with the strongest associations observed in Q5 (range of HR = 1.14 - 1.44 ). However, most associations were nonsignificant, and there was no evidence of exposure-response trends. We observed stronger associations among ever smokers, workers with ≤ high school education, and workers with body mass index < 30 kg / m 2 . No apparent positive association was observed for the BTEX-H mixture. CONCLUSIONS Higher exposures to volatile components of crude oil were associated with modest increases in risk of CHD among oil spill workers, although we did not observe exposure-response trends. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11859.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dazhe Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dale P. Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alexander P. Keil
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Gerardo Heiss
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Eric A. Whitsel
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jessie K. Edwards
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Mark R. Stenzel
- Exposure Assessment Applications, LLC, Arlington, Virginia, USA
| | - Caroline P. Groth
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Gurumurthy Ramachandran
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sudipto Banerjee
- Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Tran B. Huynh
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - W. Braxton Jackson
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc, a DLH Holdings Company, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Aaron Blair
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Kaitlyn G. Lawrence
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Richard K. Kwok
- Population Studies and Genetics Branch, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Lawrence S. Engel
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lawrence KG, Niehoff NM, Keil AP, Braxton Jackson W, Christenbury K, Stewart PA, Stenzel MR, Huynh TB, Groth CP, Ramachandran G, Banerjee S, Pratt GC, Curry MD, Engel LS, Sandler DP. Associations between airborne crude oil chemicals and symptom-based asthma. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 167:107433. [PMID: 35921771 PMCID: PMC9378681 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill response and cleanup (OSRC) workers were exposed to airborne total hydrocarbons (THC), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-, m-, and p-xylenes and n-hexane (BTEX-H) from crude oil and PM2.5 from burning/flaring oil and natural gas. Little is known about asthma risk among oil spill cleanup workers. OBJECTIVES We assessed the relationship between asthma and several oil spill-related exposures including job classes, THC, individual BTEX-H chemicals, the BTEX-H mixture, and PM2.5 using data from the Gulf Long-Term Follow-up (GuLF) Study, a prospective cohort of 24,937 cleanup workers and 7,671 nonworkers following the DWH disaster. METHODS Our analysis largely focused on the 19,018 workers without asthma before the spill who had complete exposure, outcome, and covariate information. We defined incident asthma 1-3 years following exposure using both self-reported wheeze and self-reported physician diagnosis of asthma. THC and BTEX-H were assigned to participants based on measurement data and work histories, while PM2.5 used modeled estimates. We used modified Poisson regression to estimate risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between spill-related exposures and asthma and a quantile-based g-computation approach to explore the joint effect of the BTEX-H mixture on asthma risk. RESULTS OSRC workers had greater asthma risk than nonworkers (RR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.38, 1.85). Higher estimated THC exposure levels were associated with increased risk in an exposure-dependent manner (linear trend test p < 0.0001). Asthma risk also increased with increasing exposure to individual BTEX-H chemicals and the chemical mixture: A simultaneous quartile increase in the BTEX-H mixture was associated with an increased asthma risk of 1.45 (95% CI: 1.35,1.55). With fewer cases, associations were less apparent for physician-diagnosed asthma alone. CONCLUSIONS THC and BTEX-H were associated with increased asthma risk defined using wheeze symptoms as well as a physician diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn G Lawrence
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Nicole M Niehoff
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Alexander P Keil
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA; Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - W Braxton Jackson
- Social and Scientific Systems Inc, a DLH Holdings company, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kate Christenbury
- Social and Scientific Systems Inc, a DLH Holdings company, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Mark R Stenzel
- Exposure Assessment Applications, LLC, Arlington, VA, USA
| | - Tran B Huynh
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Caroline P Groth
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Gurumurthy Ramachandran
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sudipto Banerjee
- Department of Biostatistics, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gregory C Pratt
- Division of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Matthew D Curry
- Social and Scientific Systems Inc, a DLH Holdings company, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Lawrence S Engel
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA; Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Dale P Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gribble MO, Keshav T, Denic-Roberts H, Engel LS, Rusiecki JA. Exposure patterns among Coast Guard responders to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: A latent class analysis. Environ Epidemiol 2022; 6:e211. [PMID: 35702499 PMCID: PMC9187181 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill was an environmental crisis for which multiple groups, including the United States Coast Guard (USCG), provided emergency response services. A cohort of 5,665 USCG oil spill responders completed postdeployment surveys eliciting information on a variety of topics, including oil spill-related exposures and experiences. Our objective was to determine the most common exposure patterns among USCG responders. Methods We used latent class analysis based on six indicator variables reflecting different aspects of the responders' experiences: exposure to oil, exposure to engine exhaust fumes or carbon monoxide, hand sanitizer use, sunblock use, mosquito bites, and level of anxiety. We validated our interpretation of these latent classes using ancillary variables. Results The model distinguished four distinct exposure profiles, which we interpreted as "low overall exposure" (prevalence estimate = 0.18), "low crude oil/exhaust and moderate time outdoors/anxiety (prevalence estimate = 0.18), "high crude oil/exhaust and moderate time outdoors/anxiety" (prevalence estimate = 0.25), and "high overall exposure" (prevalence estimate = 0.38). The validation analysis was consistent with our interpretation of the latent classes. Conclusions The exposure patterns identified in this analysis can help inform future studies of the health impacts of exposure mixtures among USCG oil spill responders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew O. Gribble
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Taj Keshav
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Hristina Denic-Roberts
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Lawrence S. Engel
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Jennifer A. Rusiecki
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pratt GC, Stenzel MR, Kwok RK, Groth CP, Banerjee S, Arnold SF, Engel LS, Sandler DP, Stewart PA. Modeled Air Pollution from In Situ Burning and Flaring of Oil and Gas Released Following the Deepwater Horizon Disaster. Ann Work Expo Health 2022; 66:i172-i187. [PMID: 32936300 PMCID: PMC8989033 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxaa084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The GuLF STUDY, initiated by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, is investigating the health effects among workers involved in the oil spill response and clean-up (OSRC) after the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) explosion in April 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico. Clean-up included in situ burning of oil on the water surface and flaring of gas and oil captured near the seabed and brought to the surface. We estimated emissions of PM2.5 and related pollutants resulting from these activities, as well as from engines of vessels working on the OSRC. PM2.5 emissions ranged from 30 to 1.33e6 kg per day and were generally uniform over time for the flares but highly episodic for the in situ burns. Hourly emissions from each source on every burn/flare day were used as inputs to the AERMOD model to develop average and maximum concentrations for 1-, 12-, and 24-h time periods. The highest predicted 24-h average concentrations sometimes exceeded 5000 µg m-3 in the first 500 m downwind of flaring and reached 71 µg m-3 within a kilometer of some in situ burns. Beyond 40 km from the DWH site, plumes appeared to be well mixed, and the predicted 24-h average concentrations from the flares and in situ burns were similar, usually below 10 µg m-3. Structured averaging of model output gave potential PM2.5 exposure estimates for OSRC workers located in various areas across the Gulf. Workers located nearest the wellhead (hot zone/source workers) were estimated to have a potential maximum 12-h exposure of 97 µg m-3 over the 2-month flaring period. The potential maximum 12-h exposure for workers who participated in in situ burns was estimated at 10 µg m-3 over the ~3-month burn period. The results suggest that burning of oil and gas during the DWH clean-up may have resulted in PM2.5 concentrations substantially above the U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standard for PM2.5 (24-h average = 35 µg m-3). These results are being used to investigate possible adverse health effects in the GuLF STUDY epidemiologic analysis of PM2.5 exposures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory C Pratt
- University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health, 420 Delaware St. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Mark R Stenzel
- Exposure Assessment Applications, LLC, 6045 27th St N, Arlington, VA 22207, USA
| | - Richard K Kwok
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, P.O. Box 12233, MD A3-05, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 22709, USA
| | - Caroline P Groth
- Department of Biostatistics, West Virginia University School of Public Health, 64 Medical Center Drive, P.O. Box 9190, Morgantown, WV 26506-9190, USA
| | - Sudipto Banerjee
- University of California-Los Angeles, School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, Suite: 51-254 CHS, 650 charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Susan F Arnold
- University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health, 420 Delaware St. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Lawrence S Engel
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, P.O. Box 12233, MD A3-05, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 22709, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, McGavran-Greenberg Hall, Campus Box 7435, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Dale P Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, P.O. Box 12233, MD A3-05, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 22709, USA
| | - Patricia A Stewart
- Stewart Exposure Assessments, LLC, 6045 27th St N, Arlington, VA 22207, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chen D, Lawrence KG, Pratt GC, Stenzel MR, Stewart PA, Groth CP, Banerjee S, Christenbury K, Curry MD, Jackson WB, Kwok RK, Blair A, Engel LS, Sandler DP. Fine Particulate Matter and Lung Function among Burning-Exposed Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Workers. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:27001. [PMID: 35103485 PMCID: PMC8805798 DOI: 10.1289/ehp8930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) disaster, controlled burning was conducted to remove oil from the water. Workers near combustion sites were potentially exposed to increased fine particulate matter [with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5μm (PM2.5)] levels. Exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to decreased lung function, but to our knowledge, no study has examined exposure encountered in an oil spill cleanup. OBJECTIVE We investigated the association between estimated PM2.5 only from burning/flaring of oil/gas and lung function measured 1-3 y after the DWH disaster. METHODS We included workers who participated in response and cleanup activities on the water during the DWH disaster and had lung function measured at a subsequent home visit (n=2,316). PM2.5 concentrations were estimated using a Gaussian plume dispersion model and linked to work histories via a job-exposure matrix. We evaluated forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1; milliliters), forced vital capacity (FVC; milliliters), and their ratio (FEV1/FVC; %) in relation to average and cumulative daily maximum exposures using multivariable linear regressions. RESULTS We observed significant exposure-response trends associating higher cumulative daily maximum PM2.5 exposure with lower FEV1 (p-trend=0.04) and FEV1/FVC (p-trend=0.01). In comparison with the referent group (workers not involved in or near the burning), those with higher cumulative exposures had lower FEV1 [-166.8mL, 95% confidence interval (CI): -337.3, 3.7] and FEV1/FVC (-1.7, 95% CI: -3.6, 0.2). We also saw nonsignificant reductions in FVC (high vs. referent: -120.9, 95% CI: -319.4, 77.6; p-trend=0.36). Similar associations were seen for average daily maximum PM2.5 exposure. Inverse associations were also observed in analyses stratified by smoking and time from exposure to spirometry and when we restricted to workers without prespill lung disease. CONCLUSIONS Among oil spill workers, exposure to PM2.5 specifically from controlled burning of oil/gas was associated with significantly lower FEV1 and FEV1/FVC when compared with workers not involved in burning. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8930.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dazhe Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kaitlyn G. Lawrence
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Gregory C. Pratt
- Division of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mark R. Stenzel
- Exposure Assessment Applications, LLC, Arlington, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Caroline P. Groth
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Sudipto Banerjee
- Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California–Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | | | | | - Richard K. Kwok
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Aaron Blair
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Lawrence S. Engel
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dale P. Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Haematological, renal, and hepatic function changes among Rayong oil spill clean-up workers: a longitudinal study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2022; 95:1481-1489. [DOI: 10.1007/s00420-022-01834-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
|
9
|
Denic-Roberts H, Rowley N, Haigney MC, Christenbury K, Barrett J, Thomas DL, Engel LS, Rusiecki JA. Acute and longer-term cardiovascular conditions in the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Coast Guard Cohort. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 158:106937. [PMID: 34688052 PMCID: PMC8688193 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In 2010, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) led a clean-up response to the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill. Human studies evaluating acute and longer-term cardiovascular conditions associated with oil spill-related exposures are sparse. Thus, we aimed to investigate prevalent and incident cardiovascular symptoms/conditions in the DHW Oil Spill Coast Guard Cohort. METHODS Self-reported oil spill exposures and cardiovascular symptoms were ascertained from post-deployment surveys (n = 4,885). For all active-duty cohort members (n = 45,193), prospective cardiovascular outcomes were classified via International Classification of Diseases, 9th Edition from military health encounter records up to 5.5 years post-DWH. We used log-binomial regression to calculate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in the cross-sectional analyses and Cox Proportional Hazards regression to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% CIs for incident cardiovascular diagnoses during 2010-2015 and stratifying by earlier (2010-2012) and later (2013-2015) time periods. RESULTS Prevalence of chest pain was associated with increasing levels of crude oil exposure via inhalation (aPRhigh vs. none = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.16-3.42, p-trend = 0.03) and direct skin contact (aPRhigh vs. none = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.30-5.16, p-trend = 0.03). Similar associations were observed for sudden heartbeat changes and for being in the vicinity of burning oil exposure. In prospective analyses, responders (vs. non-responders) had an elevated risk for mitral valve disorders during 2013-2015 (aHR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.15-3.90). Responders reporting ever (vs. never) crude oil inhalation exposure were at increased risk for essential hypertension, particularly benign essential hypertension during 2010-2012 (aHR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.08-3.69). Responders with crude oil inhalation exposure also had an elevated risk for palpitations during 2013-2015 (aHR = 2.54, 95% CI = 1.36-4.74). Cardiovascular symptoms/conditions aPR and aHR estimates were generally stronger among responders reporting exposure to both crude oil and oil dispersants than among those reporting neither. CONCLUSIONS In this large study of the DWH oil spill USCG responders, self-reported spill clean-up exposures were associated with acute and longer-term cardiovascular symptoms/conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hristina Denic-Roberts
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA; Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, MD, USA
| | - Nicole Rowley
- Department of Laboratory Animal Resources, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark C Haigney
- Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kate Christenbury
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., A DLH Holdings Corp Company ("DLH"), Durham, NC, USA
| | - John Barrett
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dana L Thomas
- United States Coast Guard Headquarters, Directorate of Health, Safety, and Work Life, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Lawrence S Engel
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jennifer A Rusiecki
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rusiecki JA, Denic-Roberts H, Thomas DL, Collen J, Barrett J, Christenbury K, Engel LS. Incidence of chronic respiratory conditions among oil spill responders: Five years of follow-up in the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Coast Guard Cohort study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 203:111824. [PMID: 34364859 PMCID: PMC8616774 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over ten years after the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill, our understanding of long term respiratory health risks associated with oil spill response exposures is limited. We conducted a prospective analysis in a cohort of U.S. Coast Guard personnel with universal military healthcare. METHODS For all active duty cohort members (N = 45,193) in the DWH Oil Spill Coast Guard Cohort Study we obtained medical encounter data from October 01, 2007 to September 30, 2015 (i.e., ~2.5 years pre-spill; ~5.5 years post-spill). We used Cox Proportional Hazards regressions to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (aHR), comparing risks for incident respiratory conditions/symptoms (2010-2015) for: responders vs. non-responders; responders reporting crude oil exposure, any inhalation of crude oil vapors, and being in the vicinity of burning crude oil versus responders without those exposures. We also evaluated self-reported crude oil and oil dispersant exposures, combined. Within-responder comparisons were adjusted for age, sex, and smoking. RESULTS While elevated aHRs for responder/non-responder comparisons were generally weak, within-responder comparisons showed stronger risks with exposure to crude oil. Notably, for responders reporting exposure to crude oil via inhalation, there were elevated risks for allsinusitis (aHR = 1.48; 95%CI, 1.06-2.06), unspecified chronic sinusitis (aHR = 1.55; 95%CI, 1.08-2.22), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other allied conditions (aHR = 1.43; 95%CI, 1.00-2.06), and dyspnea and respiratory abnormalities (aHR = 1.29; 95%CI, 1.00-1.67); there was a suggestion of elevated risk for diseases classified as asthma and reactive airway diseases (aHR = 1.18; 95%CI, 0.98-1.41), including the specific condition, asthma (aHR = 1.35; 95%CI, 0.80-2.27), the symptom, shortness of breath (aHR = 1.50; 95%CI, 0.89-2.54), and the overall classification of chronic respiratory conditions (aHR = 1.18; 95%CI, 0.98-1.43). Exposure to both crude oil and dispersant was positively associated with elevated risk for shortness of breath (HR = 2.24; 95%CI, 1.09-4.64). CONCLUSIONS Among active duty Coast Guard personnel, oil spill clean-up exposures were associated with moderately increased risk for longer term respiratory conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Rusiecki
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Hristina Denic-Roberts
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA; Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, MD, USA
| | - Dana L Thomas
- United States Coast Guard Headquarters, Directorate of Health, Safety, and Work Life, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Jacob Collen
- Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - John Barrett
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kate Christenbury
- Social & Scientific Systems, a DLH Corporation Holding Company, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Lawrence S Engel
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Takeshita R, Bursian SJ, Colegrove KM, Collier TK, Deak K, Dean KM, De Guise S, DiPinto LM, Elferink CJ, Esbaugh AJ, Griffitt RJ, Grosell M, Harr KE, Incardona JP, Kwok RK, Lipton J, Mitchelmore CL, Morris JM, Peters ES, Roberts AP, Rowles TK, Rusiecki JA, Schwacke LH, Smith CR, Wetzel DL, Ziccardi MH, Hall AJ. A review of the toxicology of oil in vertebrates: what we have learned following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2021; 24:355-394. [PMID: 34542016 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2021.1975182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In the wake of the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill, a number of government agencies, academic institutions, consultants, and nonprofit organizations conducted lab- and field-based research to understand the toxic effects of the oil. Lab testing was performed with a variety of fish, birds, turtles, and vertebrate cell lines (as well as invertebrates); field biologists conducted observations on fish, birds, turtles, and marine mammals; and epidemiologists carried out observational studies in humans. Eight years after the spill, scientists and resource managers held a workshop to summarize the similarities and differences in the effects of DWH oil on vertebrate taxa and to identify remaining gaps in our understanding of oil toxicity in wildlife and humans, building upon the cross-taxonomic synthesis initiated during the Natural Resource Damage Assessment. Across the studies, consistency was found in the types of toxic response observed in the different organisms. Impairment of stress responses and adrenal gland function, cardiotoxicity, immune system dysfunction, disruption of blood cells and their function, effects on locomotion, and oxidative damage were observed across taxa. This consistency suggests conservation in the mechanisms of action and disease pathogenesis. From a toxicological perspective, a logical progression of impacts was noted: from molecular and cellular effects that manifest as organ dysfunction, to systemic effects that compromise fitness, growth, reproductive potential, and survival. From a clinical perspective, adverse health effects from DWH oil spill exposure formed a suite of signs/symptomatic responses that at the highest doses/concentrations resulted in multi-organ system failure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Takeshita
- Conservation Medicine, National Marine Mammal Foundation, San Diego, California, United States
| | - Steven J Bursian
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
| | - Kathleen M Colegrove
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Brookfield, Illinois, United States
| | - Tracy K Collier
- Zoological Pathology Program, Huxley College of the Environment, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, United States
| | - Kristina Deak
- College of Marine Sciences, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, Florida, United States
| | | | - Sylvain De Guise
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States
| | - Lisa M DiPinto
- Office of Response and Restoration, NOAA, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
| | - Cornelis J Elferink
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States
| | - Andrew J Esbaugh
- Marine Science Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Port Aransas, Texas, United States
| | - Robert J Griffitt
- Division of Coastal Sciences, School of Ocean Science and Engineering, University of Southern Mississippi, Gulfport, Mississippi, United States
| | - Martin Grosell
- RSMAS, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States
| | | | - John P Incardona
- NOAA Environmental Conservation Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Richard K Kwok
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, North Carolina, United States
| | | | - Carys L Mitchelmore
- University of Maryland Center of Environmental Science, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, Solomons, Maryland, United States
| | - Jeffrey M Morris
- Health and Environment Division, Abt Associates, Boulder, Colorado, United States
| | - Edward S Peters
- Department of Epidemiology, LSU School of Public Health, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
| | - Aaron P Roberts
- Advanced Environmental Research Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, United States
| | - Teresa K Rowles
- NOAA Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
| | - Jennifer A Rusiecki
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Lori H Schwacke
- Conservation Medicine, National Marine Mammal Foundation, San Diego, California, United States
| | - Cynthia R Smith
- Conservation Medicine, National Marine Mammal Foundation, San Diego, California, United States
| | - Dana L Wetzel
- Environmental Laboratory of Forensics, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida, United States
| | - Michael H Ziccardi
- School of Veterinary Medicine, One Health Institute, University of California, Davis, California, United States
| | - Ailsa J Hall
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Lawrence KG, Werder EJ, Sandler DP. Association of neighborhood deprivation with pulmonary function measures among participants in the Gulf Long-Term Follow-up Study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 202:111704. [PMID: 34280418 PMCID: PMC8578346 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Individual-level socioeconomic status (SES) has been shown to be an important determinant of lung function. Neighborhood level SES factors may increase psychological and physiologic stress and may also reflect other exposures that can adversely affect lung function, but few studies have considered neighborhood factors. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to assess the association between neighborhood-level SES and lung function. METHODS We cross-sectionally analyzed 6168 spirometry test results from participants in the Gulf long-term Follow-up Study, a large cohort of adults enrolled following the largest maritime oil spill in US history. Outcomes of interest included the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1; mL), the forced vital capacity (FVC; mL), and the FEV1/FVC ratio (%). Neighborhood deprivation was measured by linking participant home addresses to an existing Area Deprivation Index (ADI) and categorized into quartiles. Individual-level SES measures were collected at enrollment using a structured questionnaire and included income, educational attainment, and financial strain. We used multilevel regression to estimate associations between ADI quartiles and each lung function measure. RESULTS Greater neighborhood deprivation was associated with lower FEV1: βQ2vsQ1: -30 mL (95% CI: -97, 36), βQ3vsQ1: -70 mL (95% CI: -135, -4) and βQ4vsQ1: -104 mL (95% CI: -171, -36). FVC showed similar patterns of associations with neighborhood deprivation. No associations with the FEV1/FVC ratio were observed. CONCLUSION Neighborhood deprivation, a measure incorporating economic and other stressors, was associated with lower FEV1 and FVC, with magnitudes of associations reaching clinically meaningful levels. The impact of this neighborhood SES measure persisted even after adjustment for individual-level SES factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn G Lawrence
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Emily J Werder
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Dale P Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Lawrence KG, Jackson WB, Ramsey S, Kwok RK, Engel LS, Curry MD, Sandler DP. Spirometry quality predictors in a large multistate prospective study. Respir Med 2021; 188:106618. [PMID: 34571455 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Gulf Long-Term Follow-up (GuLF) Study is a prospective cohort study of health effects associated with oil spill response and clean-up following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Disaster (DWH). As part of the study, spirometry testing of lung function was carried out in home visits across multiple states. Few studies have described factors associated with spirometry test failure in field-based settings. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to identify what factors, if any, predict test failure among GuLF Study participants who completed spirometry testing in a non-traditional setting. METHODS Trained examiners administered spirometry (May 2011-May 2013) to 10,019 participants living in US Gulf States (LA, MS, TX, AL, FL) using an Easy-on ultrasonic spirometer. We applied American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society quality criteria to determine quality test failure and identified factors predictive of failure using both a Stepwise and a LASSO model. We calculated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations of selected factors with test failure. RESULTS Among GuLF Study participants who conducted spirometry, self-reported African American/Black participants (OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.23,1.56); men (OR:1.61, 95% CI: 1.41,1.83); and those making less than $20,000 per year (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.26,1.67) were more likely to fail quality testing, while those who were obese were less likely to fail (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.42,0.89). CONCLUSION Field-based studies involving spirometry should identify and account for participant factors that may influence test failure. Coaching that is tailored to those less likely to have experience with spirometry may help reduce test failure rates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn G Lawrence
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - W Braxton Jackson
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., a DLH Holding Company, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Steven Ramsey
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., a DLH Holding Company, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Richard K Kwok
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA; Office of the Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Lawrence S Engel
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA; Dept. of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Matthew D Curry
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., a DLH Holding Company, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Dale P Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Lawrence KG, Keil AP, Garantziotis S, Umbach DM, Stewart PA, Stenzel MR, McGrath JA, Jackson WB, Kwok RK, Curry MD, Engel LS, Sandler DP. Lung function in oil spill responders 4-6 years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2020; 83:233-248. [PMID: 32249687 PMCID: PMC7837370 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2020.1745111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Oil spill response and clean-up (OSRC) workers were exposed to hazardous airborne chemicals following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. The aim of this study was to evaluate lung function in workers 4-6 years following the disaster using a prospective cohort. Participants who completed two spirometry test sessions 1-3 years, and 4-6 years after the spill (N = 1,838) were included and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1; ml), forced vital capacity (FVC; ml), and ratio (FEV1/FVC; %) determined. Linear mixed models were utilized to estimate relationships between OSRC exposures and lung function 4-6 years after the spill and changes since the prior measurement. Despite suggestive reduced lung function at 1-3 years, at the 4-6-year exam workers with total hydrocarbon (THC) exposure 1-2.99 ppm and ≥3 ppm compared to those with ≤0.29 ppm exhibited higher FEV1 (β: 108 ml, 95% CI: 17, 198) and (β: 118 ml, 95% CI: 5, 232), respectively. Compared with support workers, those in higher exposed jobs displayed greater improvement in FEV1 between visits: cleanup on water (β: 143 ml, 95% CI: 35, 250), operations (β: 132 ml, 95% CI: 30, 234) and response (β: 149 ml, 95% CI: 43, 256). Greater FEV1 improvement was also associated with higher versus the lowest level THC exposure: 1-2.99 ppm (β: 134 ml, 95% CI: 57, 210) and ≥3 ppm (β: 205 ml, 95% CI: 109, 301). Lung function decrements seen shortly after the spill were no longer apparent 4-6 years later, with the greatest improvement among those with the highest exposures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn G. Lawrence
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Alexander P. Keil
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Stavros Garantziotis
- Clinical Research Unit, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - David M. Umbach
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | | | | | | | | | - Richard K. Kwok
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | | | - Lawrence S. Engel
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Dale P. Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Amor-Carro Ó, White KM, Fraga-Iriso R, Mariñas-Pardo LA, Núñez-Naveira L, Lema-Costa B, Villarnovo M, Verea-Hernando H, Ramos-Barbón D. Airway Hyperresponsiveness, Inflammation, and Pulmonary Emphysema in Rodent Models Designed to Mimic Exposure to Fuel Oil-Derived Volatile Organic Compounds Encountered during an Experimental Oil Spill. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2020; 128:27003. [PMID: 32074461 PMCID: PMC7064321 DOI: 10.1289/ehp4178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fuel oil-derived volatile organic compounds (VOCs) inhalation is associated with accidental marine spills. After the Prestige petroleum tanker sank off northern Spain in 2002 and the Deepwater Horizon oil rig catastrophe in 2009, subjects involved in environmental decontamination showed signs of ongoing or residual lung disease up to 5 y after the exposure. OBJECTIVES We aimed at investigating mechanisms driving persistent respiratory disease by developing an animal model of inhalational exposure to fuel oil-derived VOCs. METHODS Female Wistar and Brown Norway (BN) rats and C57BL mice were exposed to VOCs produced from fuel oil mimicking the Prestige spill. Exposed animals inhaled the VOCs 2 h daily, 5 d per week, for 3 wk. Airway responsiveness to methacholine (MCh) was assessed, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lung tissues were analyzed after the exposure and following a 2-wk washout. RESULTS Consistent with data from human studies, both strains of rats that inhaled fuel oil-derived VOCs developed airway hyperresponsiveness that persisted after the washout period, in the absence of detectable inflammation in any lung compartment. Histopathology and quantitative morphology revealed the development of peripherally distributed pulmonary emphysema, which persisted after the washout period, associated with increased alveolar septal cell apoptosis, microvascular endothelial damage of the lung parenchyma, and inhibited expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). DISCUSSION In this rat model, fuel oil VOCs inhalation elicited alveolar septal cell apoptosis, likely due to DNA damage. In turn, the development of a peculiar pulmonary emphysema pattern altered lung mechanics and caused persistent noninflammatory airway hyperresponsiveness. Such findings suggest to us that humans might also respond to VOCs through physiopathological pathways different from those chiefly involved in typical cigarette smoke-driven emphysema in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If so, this study could form the basis for a novel disease mechanism for lasting respiratory disease following inhalational exposure to catastrophic fuel oil spills. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4178.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Óscar Amor-Carro
- Respiratory Research Unit, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario and the Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
- Respiratory Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau and the Biomedical Research Institute (IIb Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kathryn M. White
- Respiratory Research Unit, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario and the Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Rebeca Fraga-Iriso
- Respiratory Research Unit, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario and the Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
- Respiratory Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau and the Biomedical Research Institute (IIb Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis A. Mariñas-Pardo
- Respiratory Research Unit, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario and the Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Laura Núñez-Naveira
- Respiratory Research Unit, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario and the Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Beatriz Lema-Costa
- Respiratory Research Unit, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario and the Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Marta Villarnovo
- Respiratory Research Unit, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario and the Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Héctor Verea-Hernando
- Respiratory Research Unit, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario and the Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - David Ramos-Barbón
- Respiratory Research Unit, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario and the Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
- Respiratory Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau and the Biomedical Research Institute (IIb Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Park MS, Choi KH, Lee SH, Hur JI, Noh SR, Jeong WC, Cheong HK, Ha M. Health effect research on Hebei Spirit Oil Spill (HEROS) in Korea: a cohort profile. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e026740. [PMID: 31420384 PMCID: PMC6701659 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The Hebei Spirit Oil Spill occurred on 7 December 2007 and resulted in the spillage of 12 547 kl of crude oil on the coastline near Taean. Historically, this was the largest oil spill in Korean water. The health effect research on Hebei Spirit Oil Spill (HEROS) is a prospective cohort study that aimed to evaluate the long-term health effects of oil spill exposure on residents in the affected community. PARTICIPANTS The Taean Environmental Health Center initially enrolled adults, adolescents and children living in Taean in 2009 and 2010. Follow-up surveys of participating adults and children were conducted every other year. By 2017, a total of 9585 adults and 2216 children and adolescents were enrolled. Of these, 294 adults and 102 children and adolescents were included in all subsequent surveys. FINDINGS TO DATE Children who lived closer to the oil spill site exhibited a lower level of pulmonary function and higher prevalence of allergic rhinitis, than those who lived further away from the oil spill site. Adults who lived in a highly exposed area or participated in clean-up work had higher urine levels of the oxidative stress biomarkers malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine. Changes in haematological parameters during a 3-year period were observed in residents of both sexes in highly exposed areas, in addition to increases in respiratory diseases and mental health problems in female and male participants, respectively. FUTURE PLANS The findings of this study will better enable policy makers to develop environmental health policies intended to prevent adverse health effects in residents of communities affected by oil spills, as well as policies regarding the management of future oil accidents. The HEROS study will continue to follow participants in future and will be updated to enable an investigation of long-term health effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Myung Sook Park
- Environmental Health Research Team, Taean Environmental Health Center, Taean, Chungnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Hwa Choi
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Hwa Lee
- Environmental Health Research Team, Taean Environmental Health Center, Taean, Chungnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Il Hur
- Environmental Health Research Team, Taean Environmental Health Center, Taean, Chungnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Ryeon Noh
- Department of Public Health and Environment, Kosin University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Chul Jeong
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae-Kwan Cheong
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea
| | - Mina Ha
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Sharpe JD, Kaufman JA, Goldman ZE, Wolkin A, Gribble MO. Determinants of oil-spill cleanup participation following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 170:472-480. [PMID: 30640081 PMCID: PMC6361617 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, spilling over 4.9 million barrels of oil in the Gulf of Mexico over an 87-day period and developing into a long-term environmental disaster that affected people living in Gulf Coast states. Engagement of community members in recovery efforts is important for mitigating adverse effects of disasters and accelerating the rebuilding process for impacted communities; however, few studies have explored factors that determine participation in oil spill cleanups. METHODS We analyzed data from the Gulf States Population Survey (GSPS) to study the determinants of participating in the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill cleanup. The GSPS was a random-digit dialing survey conducted on 38,361 adults in counties and parishes in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi impacted by the oil spill. Using survey estimation to account for the complex survey design, we estimated the probability of cleanup participation and used logistic regression to examine the association between sociodemographic factors and cleanup participation. RESULTS Approximately 4.7% of residents in affected Gulf communities participated in the cleanup. Most participants were young, men, non-Hispanic white, and employed. Living in an affected coastal county was associated with higher odds of participation (unadjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.69; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28-2.24), as was having excellent or very good physical health (OR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.11-3.81). Older persons were less likely to participate in the cleanup (OR for 65+ age group vs. 18-24 age group: 0.14; 95% CI: 0.05-0.36). CONCLUSIONS Understanding the demographics of cleanup participants may help inform civilian recruitment for future oil spill responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Danielle Sharpe
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - John A Kaufman
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Zachary E Goldman
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Amy Wolkin
- Center for Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Matthew O Gribble
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Gam KB, Engel LS, Kwok RK, Curry MD, Stewart PA, Stenzel MR, McGrath JA, Jackson WB, Lichtveld MY, Sandler DP. Association between Deepwater Horizon oil spill response and cleanup work experiences and lung function. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 121:695-702. [PMID: 30317099 PMCID: PMC6400458 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.09.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 09/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Oil spill response and cleanup (OSRC) workers had potentially stressful experiences during mitigation efforts following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. Smelling chemicals; skin or clothing contact with oil; heat stress; handling oily plants/wildlife or dead animal recovery; and/or being out of regular work may have posed a risk to worker respiratory health through psychological stress mechanisms. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between six potentially stressful oil spill experiences and lung function among OSRC workers 1-3 years following the Deepwater Horizon disaster, while controlling for primary oil spill inhalation hazards and other potential confounders. METHODS Of 6811 GuLF STUDY participants who performed OSRC work and completed a quality spirometry test, 4806 provided information on all exposures and confounders. We carried out complete case analysis and used multiple imputation to assess risk among the larger sample. Potentially stressful work experiences were identified from an earlier study of these workers. The lung function parameters of interest include the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1, mL), the forced vital capacity (FVC, mL) and the ratio (FEV1/FVC, %). RESULTS On average, participants in the analytic sample completed spirometry tests 1.7 years after the spill. Among workers with at least 2 acceptable FEV1 and FVC curves, workers with jobs that involved oily plants/wildlife or dead animal recovery had lower values for FEV1 (Mean difference: -53 mL, 95% CI: -84, -22), FVC (Mean difference: -45 mL, 95% CI: -81, -9) and FEV1/FVC (Mean difference: -0.44%, 95% CI: -0.80, -0.07) compared to unexposed workers in analyses using multiple imputation. CONCLUSIONS Workers involved in handling oily plants/wildlife or dead animal recovery had lower lung function than unexposed workers after accounting for other OSRC inhalation hazards.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn B Gam
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States of America; Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Lawrence S Engel
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States of America; Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Richard K Kwok
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States of America
| | - Matthew D Curry
- Social & Scientific Systems Inc., Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Patricia A Stewart
- Stewart Exposure Assessments, LLC, Arlington, VA, United States of America
| | - Mark R Stenzel
- Exposure Assessment Applications, LLC, Arlington, VA, United States of America
| | - John A McGrath
- Social & Scientific Systems Inc., Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - W Braxton Jackson
- Social & Scientific Systems Inc., Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Maureen Y Lichtveld
- Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Dale P Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Gam KB, Kwok RK, Engel LS, Curry MD, Stewart PA, Stenzel MR, McGrath JA, Jackson WB, Jensen RL, Lichtveld MY, Miller AK, Sandler DP. Exposure to Oil Spill Chemicals and Lung Function in Deepwater Horizon Disaster Response Workers. J Occup Environ Med 2018; 60:e312-e318. [PMID: 29389810 PMCID: PMC5995629 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000001292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between total hydrocarbon (THC) exposures attributed to oil spill clean-up work and lung function 1 to 3 years after the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) disaster. METHODS We used data from the GuLF STUDY, a large cohort of adults who worked on response to the DWH disaster and others who were safety trained but did not work. We analyzed data from 6288 workers with two acceptable spirometry tests. We estimated THC exposure levels with a job exposure matrix. We evaluated lung function using the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1; mL), the forced vital capacity (FVC; mL), and the FEV1/FVC ratio (%). RESULTS Lung function measures did not differ by THC exposure levels among clean-up workers. CONCLUSION We did not observe an association between THC exposure and lung function among clean-up workers 1 to 3 years following the DWH disaster.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn B. Gam
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
- Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Richard K. Kwok
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Lawrence S. Engel
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Robert L. Jensen
- Pulmonary Division, University of Utah and Intermountain Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Maureen Y. Lichtveld
- Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Aubrey K. Miller
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Dale P. Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Choi KH, Park MS, Ha M, Hur JI, Cheong HK. Cancer Incidence Trend in the Hebei Spirit Oil Spill Area, from 1999 to 2014: An Ecological Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:E1006. [PMID: 29772806 PMCID: PMC5982045 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15051006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The Hebei Spirit oil spill (HSOS) occurred in the Republic of Korea on 7 December 2007. We aimed to describe the cancer incidence trend in Taean County before and after the oil spill. Five major cancers and leukemia were analyzed. Cancer incidence data were obtained from the Korean National Cancer Center. We compared the standardized incidence rates in Taean with those observed nationwide and selected three coastal areas. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to examine the trends in the average annual percent change and perform comparisons. The incidence rate of prostate cancer increased from 2007 to 2009 at an annual average of 39.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): -25.9, 161.8), 13.5% (95% CI: 11.7, 15.4), and 15.6% (95% CI: 11.9, 19.5), respectively, in Taean, nationwide, and in the coastal areas. The incidence of leukemia among women increased at an annual average of 9.5% (95% CI: -26.6, 63.4) in Taean and 0.6% (95% CI: 0.2, 0.9) nationwide; the rate decreased by 1.9% (95% CI: -12.8, 10.4) in the coastal areas. The trends between Taean County and the coastal areas differed only for prostate cancer (p = 0.0004). The incidence of prostate cancer among Taean County residents has increased since the HSOS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Hwa Choi
- Taean Environmental Health Center, Taean, Chungnam 32148, Korea.
| | - Myung-Sook Park
- Taean Environmental Health Center, Taean, Chungnam 32148, Korea.
| | - Mina Ha
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Chungnam 31116, Korea.
| | - Jong-Il Hur
- Taean Environmental Health Center, Taean, Chungnam 32148, Korea.
| | - Hae-Kwan Cheong
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Gyeonggi 16419, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|