Dataset Information

Deepwater Horizon oil spill exposures and neurobehavioral function in GuLF study participants.

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION:The 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) disaster exposed tens of thousands of oil spill response and cleanup (OSRC) workers to hydrocarbons and other hazardous chemicals. Some hydrocarbons, such as toluene and hexane, have been found to have acute adverse effects on the central nervous system in occupational settings. However, no studies have examined the association between oil spill exposures and neurobehavioral function. METHODS:We used data from the Gulf Long-term Follow-up Study, a cohort of adults who worked on the DWH response and cleanup. Total hydrocarbon (THC) exposure attributed to oil spill cleanup work was estimated from a job-exposure matrix linking air measurement data to detailed cleanup work histories. Participants were also categorized into 6 job categories, or OSRC classes, based on their activity with the highest exposure. Neurobehavioral performance was assessed at a clinical exam 4-6 years after the spill. We used multivariable linear regression to evaluate relationships of ordinal THC levels and OSRC classes with 16 neurobehavioral outcomes. RESULTS:We found limited evidence of associations between THC levels or OSRC classes and decreased neurobehavioral function, including attention, memory, and executive function. Workers exposed to ?3?ppm THC scored significantly worse (difference_1.0-2.9ppm?=?-0.39, 95% confidence interval (CI)?=?-0.74, -0.04) than workers exposed to <0.30?ppm THC for the digit span forward count test. There was also a possible threshold effect above 1?ppm THC for symbol digit test total errors (difference_1.0-2.9ppm?=?-0.56 (95% CI?=?-1.13, -0.003), difference_?3.0ppm?=?-0.55 (95% CI?=?-1.20, 0.10)). Associations appeared to be stronger in men than in women. A summary latency measure suggested an association between more highly exposed jobs (especially support of operations workers) and decreased neurobehavioral function. CONCLUSION:OSRC-related exposures were associated with modest decreases in neurobehavioral function, especially attention, memory, and executive function.

SUBMITTER: Quist AJL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6878206 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Deepwater Horizon oil spill exposures and neurobehavioral function in GuLF study participants.

Quist Arbor J L AJL Rohlman Diane S DS Kwok Richard K RK Stewart Patricia A PA Stenzel Mark R MR Blair Aaron A Miller Aubrey K AK Curry Matthew D MD Sandler Dale P DP Engel Lawrence S LS

Environmental research 20191023 Pt B

<h4>Introduction</h4>The 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) disaster exposed tens of thousands of oil spill response and cleanup (OSRC) workers to hydrocarbons and other hazardous chemicals. Some hydrocarbons, such as toluene and hexane, have been found to have acute adverse effects on the central nervous system in occupational settings. However, no studies have examined the association between oil spill exposures and neurobehavioral function.<h4>Methods</h4>We used data from the Gulf Long-term Follow ...[more]

PMID: 31703974

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Project description:IntroductionThe Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill was the largest marine oil spill in U.S. history, involving the response of tens of thousands clean-up workers. Over 8500 United States Coast Guard personnel were deployed in response to the spill. Little is understood about the acute neurological effects of oil spill clean-up-related exposures. Given the large number of people involved in large oil spill clean-ups, study of these effects is warranted.MethodsWe utilized exposure, health, and lifestyle data from a post-deployment survey administered to Coast Guard responders to the DWH oil spill. Crude oil exposure was assessed via self-reported inhalation and skin contact metrics, categorized by frequency of self-reported exposure to crude oil during deployment (never, rarely, sometimes, most/all of the time). Combined exposure to crude oil and oil dispersant was also evaluated. Adjusted log binomial regressions were used to calculate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), investigating the associations between oil spill exposures and neurological symptoms during deployment. Stratified analyses investigated potential effect modification by sex, exhaust fume exposure, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, and deployment duration and timing.ResultsIncreasing frequency of crude oil exposure via inhalation was associated with increased likelihood of headaches (PRmost/all vs. never = 1.80), lightheadedness (PRmost/all vs. never = 3.36), difficulty concentrating (PRmost/all vs. never = 1.72), numbness/tingling sensation (PRmost/all vs. never = 3.32), blurred vision (PRmost/all vs. never = 2.87), and memory loss/confusion (PRmost/all vs. never = 2.03), with significant tests for trend. Similar results were found for crude oil exposure via skin contact. Exposure to both oil and oil dispersants yielded associations that were appreciably greater in magnitude than for oil alone for all neurological symptoms. Sensitivity analyses excluding responders in the highest environmental heat categories and responders with relevant pre-existing conditions indicated robustness of these results. Stratified analyses indicated possible effect modification by sex, PPE use, and heat exposure.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence of a cross sectional association between crude oil exposures and acute neurological symptoms in a sample of U.S. Coast Guard responders. Additionally, it suggests that exposure to both crude oil and oil dispersant may result in stronger associations and that heat may interact synergistically with oil exposures resulting in more acute neurological symptoms. Future investigations are needed to confirm these findings.

Dataset Information

Deepwater Horizon oil spill exposures and neurobehavioral function in GuLF study participants.

Publications

Deepwater Horizon oil spill exposures and neurobehavioral function in GuLF study participants.

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