BP Oil Spill, BP Oil Spill Cleanup Workers BLOG POST
Years After the Spill — Corexit Still Causing Illness
Following the tragic BP Oil Spill along the Gulf of Mexico, an oil dispersant called Corexit was sprayed onto the water’s surface at a rate of one gallon of Corexit to 91 gallons of Louisiana crude. A large oil spill, but by no means the largest in history, was followed by a cleanup effort that turned the event into one of the biggest ecological and health disasters the world has ever seen.
Years later, residents and clean up workers are still getting sick. The evidence is clear that Corexit continues to be implicated in an ongoing health crisis in the Gulf region.
What is Corexit?
Corexit is a solvent designed to bind to and emulsify petroleum. It in effect dissolves oil into tiny droplets which then remain suspended in the water ― heavier molecules sink to the ocean floor. Ostensibly the goal in using this product is to prevent toxic crude oil from reaching shorelines and potentially causing injury to residents, wildlife and the fragile ecosystem of the coast.
Unfortunately, in practice it has the opposite effect.
What’s the danger?
Despite claims by BP and the government that Corexit is as dangerous as “dishwashing soap,” a 2012 study conducted by the Government Accountability Project showed that the use of Corexit actually makes crude oil 52 times more toxic than the oil already is.
The Corexit and crude oil combination breaks down into tiny particles that easily penetrate the skin and fatty tissues. It then has quick and easy access to the body’s red blood cell supply. Illness quickly follows.
Progression of illness
The method of delivery provided by the oil and solvent combination allows the cancer-causing substances easy access to the body’s vital organs, nervous system, brain, heart, lungs, liver and DNA. There appear to be three stages of penetration:
- Symptoms of immediate onset include respiratory distress, skin lesions and irritation, itching, dizziness, sore throat and headache
- As the compound penetrates the skin more serious symptoms appear, such as bleeding from the mouth, ears, nose and rectum, mental confusion, and impaired kidney function
- The third level of penetration affects the very center of tissue, DNA — this places those exposed at high risk of cancer, kidney and liver damage and central nervous system disorders
The fact that cleanup workers were not provided with nor informed of the need to utilize safety equipment when handling Corexit is just one aspect of the flagrant negligence demonstrated by BP Oil and shows the company’s utter disregard for the well-being of human beings and the environment.
If you are experiencing any unusual physical ailments, seek medical attention immediately. The Downs Law Group is one of the only firms in the country helping Gulf residents and cleanup workers obtain medical compensation from BP. Call us today.
