Illness Related to BP Oil Spill Begins

Venice, LAIllnesses related to the BP oil spill and its clean-up are beginning to crop up in Louisiana. CNN is reporting that 162 people have sought medical attention for symptoms including shortness of breath, throat irritation, eye irritation, cough, nausea and headaches.

Of the 162 reported cases, 128 people were directly involved with the oil spill, either as workers on oil rigs in the Gulf or on a clean-up crew, and faced possible exposure to the chemical dispersants used to break up the oil.

The information has been gathered through weekly reports from a surveillance network of doctors, clinics, emergency care locations and medical facilities in the state. Most of the people affected have reportedly been involved in clean-up efforts, and 23 people worked directly on an oil rig.

The Louisiana Department of Health has reportedly requested $10 million from BP to fund six months of mental health services to people who have been impacted by this unprecedented environmental disaster. Several thousand people have already received counselling for grief, stress, depression, excessive drinking, and suicidal ideation related to the events playing out in the Gulf.