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Toxiological Considerations in the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
Citation:
MADDEN, M. C. Toxiological Considerations in the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill. Presented at Society of Toxicology, Washington, DC, March 06 - 10, 2011.
Impact/Purpose:
This session aims to present findings related to understanding the migration of oil and oil spill components to locations in the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem, the habitats and organisms contaminated, and the characteristics of altered crude.
Description:
The Deep Water Horizon oil rig exploded on April 20, 2010, resulting in an ongoing release of light sweet petroleum crude oil and methane into Gulf of Mexico waters. The release from the deepwater wellhead 41 miles from Louisiana is at approximately 1 mile depth, and flow rates estimates have been variable. On May 1 oil dispersants Were sprayed via airplane to change surface oil properties; later dispersants were employed underwater near the leak. Surface oil was also combusted in order to eliminate the oil, and physical barriers deployed. To date, the oil has spread to an estimated 2500 mi² in the Gulf, and reached shore in the northern Gulf Region. A number of exposure uncertainties have arisen as a result of the spill related to the locations the oil has dispersed to, including volatilization to the atmosphere; and the dose of contaminant reaching wildlife, humans, and vegetation in the affected areas, and physicochemical properties of the dispersant-treated and aged oil. This session aims to present findings related to understanding the migration of oil and oil spill components to locations in the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem, the habitats and organisms contaminated, and the characteristics of altered crude. Direct routes of exposure for humans to oil components (e.g., VOCs, combustion products, weathered onshore remnants) will be presented in part based on data from many other studied oil spills. Knowledge of these currently very unsure parameters, will assist in understanding the potential biological and health effects induced by the spill. The major potential ecological effects will be described and compared to the normal Gulf ecosystem dynamics. The choice of the specific oil dispersants utilized, based in part upon the toxicology of the dispersant, will be discussed with an emphasis on the toxicity assays employed; additionally toxicity endpoints still not fully examined will be identified. The types and likelihood of possible human adverse health effects, both acute and latent, will be presented in light of what will be know of the routes of exposure and the conditions of the exposure such as exercise and heat factors. In order to comprehend the exposures levels, exposure routes (including indirect ones such as seafood consumption), and possible effects in a comprehensive manner in order to develop estimates of various risks, the data sources available to perform such an assessment will be identified, and data deficiencies needed for the assessment described as well.