BP Oil Spill, BP Oil Spill Cleanup Workers BLOG POST

Common Health Issues of BP Oil Spill Cleanup Workers

Many years after the BP Gulf oil spill (also known as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill), the full magnitude of the environmental, economic and human health effects of this major disaster remain unknown. What we do know is the BP oil spill clean up workers and the shoreline residents of the Gulf coast are sick due to the leaked oil itself and chemical used to clean up the spill.

Many of the symptoms presented can be assumed as symptoms of the flu, smoking, asthma attacks and other common conditions. Certain tests and procedures are suggested in order to decipher whether the symptoms did arise from the BP Oil Spill. While a vast array of symptoms have been seen in BP oil spill cleanup workers and local residents, some of the most common ones are respiratory issues(breathing issues), skin and eye (ocular) conditions.

One of the most common symptoms amongst both clean up workers and “Zone” residents are respiratory problems, such as asthma, coughing, weezing, chest tightness and breathlessness. The respiratory problems are similar to the sinus problems many people have been experiencing, also. Symptoms such as nasal obstruction, facial pain, pressure and/or fullness, decreased sense of smell and mucus and pus drainage or secretion are all signs of sinus issues that may be caused from exposure to these chemicals.

Ongoing skin inflammation, skin irritation, burns and the defatting of skin, are also very common. The most common pathway of these symptoms is through direct contact of the oil or working around the oil, but it is not narrowed down to just those people. Skin rashes, burns, redness, swelling, itchiness, blistering, cracking, bleeding and dryness are symptoms of contact with the crude oil and the dispersants.

Ongoing eye damage can have happened through direct contact with the oil, splashing it in your eyes or swimming in contaminated water, or from being in the oil saturated air. Again, these symptoms were not always directly connected to the oil. Many people considered it just an eye itch or their respiratory problems the early onset of a flu. However, based on both the workers’ and zone residents’ close range to the contaminated air and water, a lot of these symptoms likely originated with the oil and dispersants, especially if these issues are still ongoing or present today.

Despite the full effects of both the actual oil and the dispersants used not being known, the Medical Benefits Settlement was approved in January to help benefit both BP oil spill cleanup workers and those who lived in close proximity to the shoreline. All of the above mention conditions are covered by this settlement.

If you or a loved one worked the BP oil spill cleanup or are a local shoreline resident in the gulf coast and are experiencing any of these health issues please call us today.

Downs Law Group is a law firm concentrated in personal injury and class action cases that is dedicated to helping BP oil spill clean-up workers recover monetary damages for medical conditions. If you believe you may have been effected please call us at 1 (888) 960-2055 or visit us online at www.bpclaimoilspill.com, all consultations are free and there are no fees or costs unless you recover. Call or e-mail us today, to find out about your rights and how we may help you!