Developing Large-Scale Research in Response to an Oil Spill Disaster: a Case Study

Research conducted in the wake of a disaster can provide information to help mitigate health consequences, support future recovery efforts, and improve resilience. However, a number of barriers have prevented time-sensitive research responses following previous disasters. Furthermore, large-scale disasters present their own special challenges due to the number of people exposed to disaster conditions, the number of groups engaged in disaster response, and the logistical challenges of rapidly planning and implementing a large study. In this case study, we illustrate the challenges in planning and conducting a large-scale post-disaster research study by drawing on our experience in establishing the Gulf Long-term Follow-up (GuLF) Study following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. We describe considerations in identifying at-risk populations and appropriate comparison groups, garnering support for the study from different stakeholders, obtaining timely scientific and ethics review, measuring and characterizing complex exposures, and addressing evolving community health concerns and unmet medical needs. We also describe the NIH Disaster Research Response (DR2) Program, which provides a suite of resources, including data collection tools, research protocols, institutional review board guidance, and training materials to enable the development and implementation of time-critical studies following disasters and public health emergencies. In describing our experiences related to the GuLF Study and the ongoing efforts through the NIH DR2 Program, we aim to help improve the timeliness, quality, and value of future disaster-related data collection and research studies

Association between Deepwater Horizon oil spill response and cleanup work experiences and lung function

Introduction: Oil spill response and cleanup (OSRC) workers had potentially stressful experiences during mitigation efforts following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. Smelling chemicals; skin or clothing contact with oil; heat stress; handling oily plants/wildlife or dead animal recovery; and/or being out of regular work may have posed a risk to worker respiratory health through psychological stress mechanisms. Objective: To evaluate the association between six potentially stressful oil spill experiences and lung function among OSRC workers 1–3 years following the Deepwater Horizon disaster, while controlling for primary oil spill inhalation hazards and other potential confounders. Methods: Of 6811 GuLF STUDY participants who performed OSRC work and completed a quality spirometry test, 4806 provided information on all exposures and confounders. We carried out complete case analysis and used multiple imputation to assess risk among the larger sample. Potentially stressful work experiences were identified from an earlier study of these workers. The lung function parameters of interest include the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1, mL), the forced vital capacity (FVC, mL) and the ratio (FEV1/FVC, %). Results: On average, participants in the analytic sample completed spirometry tests 1.7 years after the spill. Among workers with at least 2 acceptable FEV1 and FVC curves, workers with jobs that involved oily plants/wildlife or dead animal recovery had lower values for FEV1 (Mean difference: −53 mL, 95% CI: −84, −22), FVC (Mean difference: −45 mL, 95% CI: −81, −9) and FEV1/FVC (Mean difference: −0.44%, 95% CI: −0.80, −0.07) compared to unexposed workers in analyses using multiple imputation. Conclusions: Workers involved in handling oily plants/wildlife or dead animal recovery had lower lung function than unexposed workers after accounting for other OSRC inhalation hazards

Predictors of blood volatile organic compound levels in Gulf coast residents article

To address concerns among Gulf Coast residents about ongoing exposures to volatile organic compounds, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, and m-xylene/p-xylene (BTEX), we characterized current blood levels and identified predictors of BTEX among Gulf state residents. We collected questionnaire data on recent exposures and measured blood BTEX levels in a convenience sample of 718 Gulf residents. Because BTEX is rapidly cleared from the body, blood levels represent recent exposures in the past 24 h. We compared participants' levels of blood BTEX to a nationally representative sample. Among nonsmokers we assessed predictors of blood BTEX levels using linear regression, and predicted the risk of elevated BTEX levels using modified Poisson regression. Blood BTEX levels in Gulf residents were similar to national levels. Among nonsmokers, sex and reporting recent smoky/chemical odors predicted blood BTEX. The change in log benzene was -0.26 (95% CI: -0.47, -0.04) and 0.72 (0.02, 1.42) for women and those who reported odors, respectively. Season, time spent away from home, and self-reported residential proximity to Superfund sites (within a half mile) were statistically associated with benzene only, however mean concentration was nearly an order of magnitude below that of cigarette smokers. Among these Gulf residents, smoking was the primary contributor to blood BTEX levels, but other factors were also relevant

Exposure to Oil Spill Chemicals and Lung Function in Deepwater Horizon Disaster Response Workers

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between total hydrocarbon (THC) exposures attributed to oil spill clean-up work and lung function 1 to 3 years after the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) disaster. Methods: We used data from the GuLF STUDY, a large cohort of adults who worked on response to the DWH disaster and others who were safety trained but did not work. We analyzed data from 6288 workers with two acceptable spirometry tests. We estimated THC exposure levels with a job exposure matrix. We evaluated lung function using the forced expiratory volume in 1second (FEV 1; mL), the forced vital capacity (FVC; mL), and the FEV 1 /FVC ratio (%). Results: Lung function measures did not differ by THC exposure levels among clean-up workers. Conclusion: We did not observe an association between THC exposure and lung function among clean-up workers 1 to 3 years following the DWH disaster

Lung Function in Oil Spill Response Workers 1-3 Years after the Deepwater Horizon Disaster

Background: Little is known about the effects of inhalation exposures on lung function among workers involved in the mitigation of oil spills. Our objective was to determine the relationship between oil spill response work and lung function 1-3 years after the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) disaster. Methods: We evaluated spirometry for 7,775 adults living in the Gulf states who either participated in DWH response efforts (workers) or received safety training but were not hired (nonworkers). At an enrollment interview, we collected detailed work histories including information on potential exposure to dispersants and burning oil/gas. We assessed forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1; mL), forced vital capacity (FVC; mL), and the ratio (FEV 1 /FVC%) for differences by broad job classes and exposure to dispersants or burning oil/gas using multivariable linear and modified Poisson regression. Results: We found no differences between workers and nonworkers. Among workers, we observed a small decrement in FEV 1 (Beta, -71 mL; 95% confidence interval [CI], -127 to -14) in decontamination workers compared with support workers. Workers with high potential exposure to burning oil/gas had reduced lung function compared with unexposed workers: FEV 1 (Beta, -183 mL; 95% CI, -316 to -49) and FEV 1 /FVC (Beta, -1.93%; 95% CI, -3.50 to -0.36), and an elevated risk of having a FEV 1 /FVC in the lowest tertile (prevalence ratio, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.92). Conclusions: While no differences in lung function were found between workers and nonworkers, lung function was reduced among decontamination workers and workers with high exposure to burning oil/gas compared with unexposed workers