Dataset Information

Lung function in oil spill responders 4-6 years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

ABSTRACT: Oil spill response and clean-up (OSRC) workers were exposed to hazardous airborne chemicals following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. The aim of this study was to evaluate lung function in workers 4-6 years following the disaster using a prospective cohort. Participants who completed two spirometry test sessions 1-3 years, and 4-6 years after the spill (N = 1,838) were included and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁; ml), forced vital capacity (FVC; ml), and ratio (FEV₁/FVC; %) determined. Linear mixed models were utilized to estimate relationships between OSRC exposures and lung function 4-6 years after the spill and changes since the prior measurement. Despite suggestive reduced lung function at 1-3 years, at the 4-6-year exam workers with total hydrocarbon (THC) exposure 1-2.99 ppm and ≥3 ppm compared to those with ≤0.29 ppm exhibited higher FEV₁ (β: 108 ml, 95% CI: 17, 198) and (β: 118 ml, 95% CI: 5, 232), respectively. Compared with support workers, those in higher exposed jobs displayed greater improvement in FEV₁ between visits: cleanup on water (β: 143 ml, 95% CI: 35, 250), operations (β: 132 ml, 95% CI: 30, 234) and response (β: 149 ml, 95% CI: 43, 256). Greater FEV₁ improvement was also associated with higher versus the lowest level THC exposure: 1-2.99 ppm (β: 134 ml, 95% CI: 57, 210) and ≥3 ppm (β: 205 ml, 95% CI: 109, 301). Lung function decrements seen shortly after the spill were no longer apparent 4-6 years later, with the greatest improvement among those with the highest exposures.

SUBMITTER: Lawrence KG

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7837370 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Lung function in oil spill responders 4-6 years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

Lawrence Kaitlyn G KG Keil Alexander P AP Garantziotis Stavros S Umbach David M DM Stewart Patricia A PA Stenzel Mark R MR McGrath John A JA Jackson W Braxton WB Kwok Richard K RK Curry Matthew D MD Engel Lawrence S LS Sandler Dale P DP

Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part A 20200301 6

Oil spill response and clean-up (OSRC) workers were exposed to hazardous airborne chemicals following the 2010 <i>Deepwater Horizon</i> disaster. The aim of this study was to evaluate lung function in workers 4-6 years following the disaster using a prospective cohort. Participants who completed two spirometry test sessions 1-3 years, and 4-6 years after the spill (N = 1,838) were included and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV<sub>1</sub>; ml), forced vital capacity (FVC; ml), and ratio (FEV< ...[more]

PMID: 32249687

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Project description:BackgroundDuring the 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) disaster, oil spill response and cleanup (OSRC) workers were exposed to toxic volatile components of crude oil. Few studies have examined exposure to individual volatile hydrocarbon chemicals below occupational exposure limits in relation to neurologic function among OSRC workers.ObjectivesTo investigate the association of several spill-related chemicals (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, n-hexane, i.e., BTEX-H) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (THC) with neurologic function among DWH spill workers enrolled in the Gulf Long-term Follow-up Study.MethodsCumulative exposure to THC and BTEX-H across the oil spill cleanup period were estimated using a job-exposure matrix that linked air measurement data to detailed self-reported DWH OSRC work histories. We ascertained quantitative neurologic function data via a comprehensive test battery at a clinical examination that occurred 4-6 years after the DWH disaster. We used multivariable linear regression and modified Poisson regression to evaluate relationships of exposures (quartiles (Q)) with 4 neurologic function measures. We examined modification of the associations by age at enrollment (<50 vs. ≥50 years).ResultsWe did not find evidence of adverse neurologic effects from crude oil exposures among the overall study population. However, among workers ≥50 years of age, several individual chemical exposures were associated with poorer vibrotactile acuity of the great toe, with statistically significant effects observed in Q3 or Q4 of exposures (range of log mean difference in Q4 across exposures: 0.13-0.26 μm). We also observed suggestive adverse associations among those ≥ age 50 years for tests of postural stability and single-leg stance, although most effect estimates did not reach thresholds of statistical significance (p < 0.05).ConclusionsHigher exposures to volatile components of crude oil were associated with modest deficits in neurologic function among OSRC workers who were age 50 years or older at study enrollment.

Project description:BackgroundOver ten years after the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill, our understanding of long term respiratory health risks associated with oil spill response exposures is limited. We conducted a prospective analysis in a cohort of U.S. Coast Guard personnel with universal military healthcare.MethodsFor all active duty cohort members (N = 45,193) in the DWH Oil Spill Coast Guard Cohort Study we obtained medical encounter data from October 01, 2007 to September 30, 2015 (i.e., ~2.5 years pre-spill; ~5.5 years post-spill). We used Cox Proportional Hazards regressions to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (aHR), comparing risks for incident respiratory conditions/symptoms (2010-2015) for: responders vs. non-responders; responders reporting crude oil exposure, any inhalation of crude oil vapors, and being in the vicinity of burning crude oil versus responders without those exposures. We also evaluated self-reported crude oil and oil dispersant exposures, combined. Within-responder comparisons were adjusted for age, sex, and smoking.ResultsWhile elevated aHRs for responder/non-responder comparisons were generally weak, within-responder comparisons showed stronger risks with exposure to crude oil. Notably, for responders reporting exposure to crude oil via inhalation, there were elevated risks for allsinusitis (aHR = 1.48; 95%CI, 1.06-2.06), unspecified chronic sinusitis (aHR = 1.55; 95%CI, 1.08-2.22), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other allied conditions (aHR = 1.43; 95%CI, 1.00-2.06), and dyspnea and respiratory abnormalities (aHR = 1.29; 95%CI, 1.00-1.67); there was a suggestion of elevated risk for diseases classified as asthma and reactive airway diseases (aHR = 1.18; 95%CI, 0.98-1.41), including the specific condition, asthma (aHR = 1.35; 95%CI, 0.80-2.27), the symptom, shortness of breath (aHR = 1.50; 95%CI, 0.89-2.54), and the overall classification of chronic respiratory conditions (aHR = 1.18; 95%CI, 0.98-1.43). Exposure to both crude oil and dispersant was positively associated with elevated risk for shortness of breath (HR = 2.24; 95%CI, 1.09-4.64).ConclusionsAmong active duty Coast Guard personnel, oil spill clean-up exposures were associated with moderately increased risk for longer term respiratory conditions.

Project description:IntroductionThe 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.MethodsWe 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.ResultsWe 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 (difference1.0-2.9ppm = -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 (difference1.0-2.9ppm = -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.ConclusionOSRC-related exposures were associated with modest decreases in neurobehavioral function, especially attention, memory, and executive function.

Project description:BackgroundDuring the 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) disaster, controlled burning was conducted to remove oil from the water. Workers near combustion sites were potentially exposed to increased fine particulate matter [with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5μm (PM2.5)] levels. Exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to decreased lung function, but to our knowledge, no study has examined exposure encountered in an oil spill cleanup.ObjectiveWe investigated the association between estimated PM2.5 only from burning/flaring of oil/gas and lung function measured 1-3 y after the DWH disaster.MethodsWe included workers who participated in response and cleanup activities on the water during the DWH disaster and had lung function measured at a subsequent home visit (n=2,316). PM2.5 concentrations were estimated using a Gaussian plume dispersion model and linked to work histories via a job-exposure matrix. We evaluated forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1; milliliters), forced vital capacity (FVC; milliliters), and their ratio (FEV1/FVC; %) in relation to average and cumulative daily maximum exposures using multivariable linear regressions.ResultsWe observed significant exposure-response trends associating higher cumulative daily maximum PM2.5 exposure with lower FEV1 (p-trend=0.04) and FEV1/FVC (p-trend=0.01). In comparison with the referent group (workers not involved in or near the burning), those with higher cumulative exposures had lower FEV1 [-166.8mL, 95% confidence interval (CI): -337.3, 3.7] and FEV1/FVC (-1.7, 95% CI: -3.6, 0.2). We also saw nonsignificant reductions in FVC (high vs. referent: -120.9, 95% CI: -319.4, 77.6; p-trend=0.36). Similar associations were seen for average daily maximum PM2.5 exposure. Inverse associations were also observed in analyses stratified by smoking and time from exposure to spirometry and when we restricted to workers without prespill lung disease.ConclusionsAmong oil spill workers, exposure to PM2.5 specifically from controlled burning of oil/gas was associated with significantly lower FEV1 and FEV1/FVC when compared with workers not involved in burning. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8930.

Project description:The GuLF STUDY is investigating health outcomes associated with oil spill-related chemical exposures among workers involved in the spill response and clean-up following the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Due to the lack of dermal exposure measurements, we estimated dermal exposures using a deterministic model, which we customized from a previously published model. Workers provided information on the frequency of contact with oil, tar, chemical dispersants applied to the oil spill and sea water, as well as the use of protective equipment, by job/activity/task. Professional judgment by industrial hygienists served as a source of information for other model variables. The model estimated dermal exposures to total hydrocarbons (THC), benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, xylene, n-hexane (BTEX-H), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and dispersants in GuLF DREAM units (GDUs). Arithmetic means (AMs) of THC exposure estimates across study participants ranged from <0.02 to 5.50 GDUs for oil and <0.02 to 142.14 GDUs for tar. Statistical differences in the estimates were observed among the AMs of the estimates for some broad groups of worker activities over time and for some time periods across the broad groups of activities. N-Hexane had ranges similar to THC for oil exposures (e.g. AMs up to 2.22 GDUs) but not for tar (up to 5.56 GDUs). Benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylene, in contrast, were characterized by higher exposure levels than THC for oil (AMs up to 12.77, 12.17, 17.45, and 36.77 GDUs, respectively) but lower levels than THC to tar (AMs up to 3.69, 11.65, 42.37, and 88.18 GDUs, respectively). For PAHs, the AMs were as high as 219.31 and 587.98 for oil and tar, respectively. Correlations of these seven substances to each other were high (>0.9) for most of the substances in oil but were lower for some of the substances in tar. These data were linked to the study participants to allow investigation of adverse health effects that may be related to dermal exposures.

Dataset Information

Lung function in oil spill responders 4-6 years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

Publications

Lung function in oil spill responders 4-6 years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

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