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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.
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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
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Nguyen HD. Effects of mixed heavy metals on obstructive lung function: findings from epidemiological and toxicogenomic data. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:8663-8683. [PMID: 37700191 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01746-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms and associations of mixed heavy metals (lead, mercury, and cadmium) on obstructive lung function (OLF) in males and females remain unknown. Here, we evaluated the interaction between the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio and three common heavy metals in males and females (n = 6221). Molecular processes involved in OLF development caused by mixed heavy metals were also identified to corroborate the earlier findings. In both males and females, as well as across the entire population, we found that serum cadmium levels were inversely related to the FEV1/FVC ratio. Interactions between serum cadmium and lead, as well as cadmium and mercury, were observed in relation to the FEV1/FVC ratio. Additionally, we observed negative correlations between the FEV1/FVC ratio and mixed serum cadmium, lead, and mercury in both men and women as well as in the overall population. Seven genes were identified as contributing to the etiology of OLF and targeted by combined heavy metals in silico analysis (CYP1A1, CRP, CXCL8, HMOX1, IL6, NOS2, and TNF). The primary relationships between these genes were co-expression interactions. The significant transcription factors and miRNAs associated with OLF and a combination of the examined heavy metals were identified as NFKB2, hsa-miR-155-5p, and hsa-miR-203a-3p. The main biological processes involved in the emergence of OLF induced by mixed heavy metals were listed as inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways, lung fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as cytokine activity, monooxygenase activity, oxidoreductase activity, and interleukin-8 production. Threshold estimations and miRNA sponge patterns for heavy metal exposure levels associated with OLF were evaluated for both males and females. This study found that cadmium plays the most important role in the mixture of cadmium, lead, and mercury in the pathogenesis of OLF. Future studies are required to verify our findings and uncover the molecular mechanisms of long-term exposure to a variety of heavy metals, especially cadmium, in other populations, including children, adolescents, and the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Duc Nguyen
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Jeonnam, 57922, Republic of Korea.
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Goldfarb DG, Hall CB, Choi J, Zeig-Owens R, Cohen HW, Cannon M, Prezant DJ, Weiden MD. Association of Lung Function Decline with All-Cause and Cancer-Cause Mortality after World Trade Center Dust Exposure. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2023; 20:1136-1143. [PMID: 36961515 PMCID: PMC10405606 DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.202212-1011oc] [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] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: In numerous cohorts, lung function decline is associated with all-cause and cardiovascular-cause mortality, but the association between the decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and cancer-cause mortality, particularly after occupational/environmental exposure(s), is unclear. Exposure to dust/smoke from the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster caused inflammation and lung injury in Fire Department of the City of New York rescue/recovery workers. In addition, prior research found that >10% of the cohort experienced greater than twice the age-related decrease in FEV1 (⩾64 ml/yr). Objectives: To evaluate the association of longitudinal lung function with all-cause and cancer-cause mortality after exposure to the WTC disaster. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study using longitudinal prebronchodilator FEV1 data for 12,264 WTC-exposed firefighters and emergency medical service providers. All-cause and cancer-cause mortality were ascertained using National Death Index data from September 12, 2001, through December 31, 2021. Joint longitudinal survival models evaluated the association of baseline FEV1 and change in FEV1 from baseline with all-cause and cancer-cause mortality adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, height, smoking, work assignment (firefighters vs. emergency medical service providers), and WTC exposure. Results: By December 31, 2021, 607 of the 12,264 individuals in the cohort (4.9%) had died (crude rate = 259.5 per 100,000 person-years), and 190 of 12,264 (1.5%) had died from cancer (crude rate = 81.2 per 100,000 person-years). Baseline FEV1 was ⩾80% predicted in 10,970 of the 12,264 (89.4%); final FEV1 was ⩾80% in 9,996 (81.5%). Lower FEV1 at baseline was associated with greater risk for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] per liter = 2.32; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.98-2.72) and cancer-cause mortality (HR per liter = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.49-2.66). Longitudinally, each 100-ml/yr decrease in FEV1 was associated with an 11% increase in all-cause mortality (HR = 1.11; 95% CI = 1.06-1.15) and a 7% increase in cancer-cause mortality (HR = 1.07; 95% CI = 1.00-1.15). Compared with FEV1 decrease <64 ml/yr, those with FEV1 decrease ⩾64 ml/yr had higher all-cause (HR = 2.91; 95% CI = 2.37-3.56) and cancer-cause mortality (HR = 2.68; 95% CI = 1.90-3.79). Conclusions: Baseline FEV1 and longitudinal FEV1 decrease are associated with increased risk of all-cause and cancer-cause mortality in a previously healthy occupational cohort, the majority of whom had normal lung function, after intense exposure to dust/smoke. Further investigation is needed to define pathways by which lung function impacts mortality after an irritant exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G. Goldfarb
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
- Bureau of Health Services, Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Charles B. Hall
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; and
| | - Jaeun Choi
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; and
| | - Rachel Zeig-Owens
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
- Bureau of Health Services, Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, New York
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; and
| | - Hillel W. Cohen
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; and
| | - Madeline Cannon
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
- Bureau of Health Services, Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, New York
| | - David J. Prezant
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
- Bureau of Health Services, Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, New York
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; and
| | - Michael D. Weiden
- Bureau of Health Services, Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, New York
- Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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9
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Kwok RK, Miller AK, Gam KB, Curry MD, Ramsey SK, Blair A, Engel LS, Sandler DP. Developing Large-Scale Research in Response to an Oil Spill Disaster: a Case Study. Curr Environ Health Rep 2019; 6:174-187. [PMID: 31376082 PMCID: PMC6699641 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-019-00241-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Research conducted in the wake of a disaster can provide information to help mitigate health consequences, support future recovery efforts, and improve resilience. However, a number of barriers have prevented time-sensitive research responses following previous disasters. Furthermore, large-scale disasters present their own special challenges due to the number of people exposed to disaster conditions, the number of groups engaged in disaster response, and the logistical challenges of rapidly planning and implementing a large study. In this case study, we illustrate the challenges in planning and conducting a large-scale post-disaster research study by drawing on our experience in establishing the Gulf Long-term Follow-up (GuLF) Study following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. We describe considerations in identifying at-risk populations and appropriate comparison groups, garnering support for the study from different stakeholders, obtaining timely scientific and ethics review, measuring and characterizing complex exposures, and addressing evolving community health concerns and unmet medical needs. We also describe the NIH Disaster Research Response (DR2) Program, which provides a suite of resources, including data collection tools, research protocols, institutional review board guidance, and training materials to enable the development and implementation of time-critical studies following disasters and public health emergencies. In describing our experiences related to the GuLF Study and the ongoing efforts through the NIH DR2 Program, we aim to help improve the timeliness, quality, and value of future disaster-related data collection and research studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard K Kwok
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA.
| | | | - Kaitlyn B Gam
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Matthew D Curry
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Steven K Ramsey
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Aaron Blair
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Lawrence S Engel
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dale P Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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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.
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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.
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11
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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.
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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.
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