Acute neuro effects of Deepwater

Coast Guard personnel exposed to oil while responding to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico were twice as likely to experience headaches and dizziness as those who were not, according to a study by researchers with the Uniformed Services University, the defense department’s only health science university in Maryland. Those exposed to dispersants and oil were largely more likely to report acute neurological symptoms than those who were exposed only to the oil, said Jennifer Rusiecki, one of the study's authors and a professor of USU’s department of preventive medicine and biostatistics. Previous studies have examined lung and skin irritation in relationships, but the new study provides a look into the acute neurological effects stemming from exposure to the oil and dispersants. The study will be published in the journal Environment International in October, but is available online now. (Source: NOLA.com 08/11/19)