BP Oil Spill, BP Oil Spill Cleanup Workers BLOG POST

Effects of Corexit on Reproductive Health

As the years pass, there is now ample evidence that the damage from Corexit ― the dispersant sprayed onto the crude oil following the 2010 BP Oil Spill ― is not limited to only immediate and short-term effects. Corexit is now implicated in long-term and reproductive illnesses as well.

In the year following the spill, environmental groups reported large numbers of dolphin deaths, dolphin fetal deaths and other anomalous trends among ocean mammals. These deaths prompted fears that human residents of the region would follow a similar fate.

Increase in miscarriages, premature births and birth defects

In May of 2012, an investigative report published in The Nation listed miscarriage as one of the common conditions treated in health clinics throughout the Gulf Region following the spill. In addition, environmental health consultant Wilma Subra has found a significant increase in premature births and miscarriages as well as respiratory and neurological impairment in babies born as far as 100 miles inland from the spill.

Corexit’s ability to break down into tiny particles that penetrate the human DNA structure leads to a host of devastating illnesses, including birth defects and cancer. Crude oil, also toxic, attacks many of the same organ systems as the dispersant chemicals. The combination of these two compounds moves with greater ease into vital organ systems than either one alone, causing damage to the health of pregnant women, especially those carrying multiple fetuses.

Corexit’s effect on reproductive health

Subra’s research confirmed that Corexit has these known effects on reproductive health:

• As an endocrine inhibitor, Corexit can cause hormone imbalance and disrupt fetal development
• Corexit can damage a developing fetus by penetrating its DNA molecular structure
• Corexit can cause damage to the male reproductive system including lowering the sperm count and mutating sperm

Many of the long-term effects of exposure to this toxic substance are not yet known.

The Downs Law Group represents residents of the Gulf and clean up workers who display symptoms of illness following the Deepwater Horizon incident. If you are unwell, you might be eligible to receive monetary compensation for your medical bills. Call us today for a consultation.