BP Oil Spill, BP Oil Spill Cleanup Workers BLOG POST
The Gulf Oil Spill’s Effect on Children
Two years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, an investigative report published in The Nation revealed that healthcare providers had stopped counting how many residents of the region were showing signs of illness caused by the spill, many of them infants and children.
In matters of health and wellness, children are considered a sensitive population. Along with pregnant women, the elderly and those with immune disorders, children’s delicate systems tend to be more sensitive to certain diseases and to the effects of toxins.
Children affected by inhalation or skin exposure
The main source of illness in the Gulf Region is a combination of crude oil and Corexit, the chemical dispersant that was sprayed onto the spill. Many adults and children on the coast have been exposed to the noxious mix through direct contact and by inhaling the vapors.
During and following the cleanup efforts, Gulf residents reported an increase in asthmatic symptoms and other respiratory illness in their children. One mother interviewed by The Nation stated that her children were suffering from a series of chronic illnesses, including rashes, allergies, inflamed sinuses, sore throats and upset stomachs.
Identifying the signs
Corexit is an ingredient in many common laundry detergents and since it is not uncommon for children to ingest laundry tablets, the health effects of contact with this substance are well known. A National Institute of Health information packet lists the known toxic effects of the product:
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Skin, eye and mucosal irritation
- Injury to gastrointestinal tract
- Central nervous system depression
- Aspiration and respiratory distress requiring mechanical ventilation or intubation
The ability of the Corexit and crude oil combination to penetrate skin, then blood cells, then DNA makes the dangers of this substance all that more acute ― since Corexit is a known carcinogen, we expect to see a progression of pathology from the symptoms listed above to more serious illnesses, including cancer.
While it is clear that many children are suffering debilitating acute and chronic illnesses as a result of the spill, it is still unclear if the worst is behind them or is yet to come.
Compensation by BP for illness related to the spill
The Downs Law Group is one of the only firms in the country helping Gulf residents and clean up workers who are suffering from the effects of Corexit to obtain compensation from BP. If your child is experiencing any unusual physical ailments, seek medical attention immediately. Then call our office for a free consultation.
