LA DHH Updates Oil Spill-Related Exposure Information

Baton Rouge, LA (CompNewsNetwork) - One hundred and nine cases of oil spill exposure-related cases have been reported to the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) to date, according to its second surveillance report released today. Seventy-four of those cases involved workers on oil rigs or workers involved in the oil spill clean-up efforts, while 35 were reported by the general public.

The Department is gathering data reported through its surveillance network of doctors, clinics, emergency care locations and medical facilities, which are reporting illnesses and injuries related to the oil spill for the ongoing database. Each exposure-related complaint is followed up on by DHH Office of Public Health staff.

This week's report also includes summaries of air surveillance and seafood surveillance data generated by state and federal agencies, including the EPA, the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health, a private company working with BP, and the Louisiana departments of Wildlife and Fisheries, and Environmental Quality. The seafood data, released for the first time today shows that 198 samples of various kinds of seafood have been sampled and tested for chemicals present in hydrocarbons. 

Breakdown of Cases by Category

- Of the workers who reported illnesses, 71 were male, three were female. Of the general public, 12 were male, while 23 were female. Most of those individuals who reported illnesses were between the ages of 18 and 64.

- Most workers either utilized an emergency room or urgent care center, or a clinic or physician's office (55 and 10, respectively). For those members of the general public who reported illnesses, 17 called the Louisiana Poison center, 10 utilized an emergency room or urgent care center, three went to a clinic or physician's office and one called a DHH hotline.

Questions about exposure-related illnesses can be directed to the Louisiana Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222. The Poison Center is staffed 24-hours a day and can provide medical management advice. To report an exposure-related illness, call 1-888-293-7020.

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