Principles of Environment Health

Marine and Coastal

Water Pollution
Case: BP Oil Spill

The Gulf of Mexico Deepwater

Horizon Oil Spill April 20,2010

Background
The Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig was destroyed by
an explosion and fire as a result the oil well released oil
into the Gulf of Mexico.
The worst environment disaster in US history.
It claim the lives of 11 rig workers and injuring
approximately 17 persons.

Background contd
The federal government estimated 4.2 million barrels
of oil spilled into the Gulf for almost 3 months.
Caused significant economic harm to the Gulf of
Mexico fishing industry.
It impacted marine populations and degradation of
fisheries habitat.

Health and Environmental Effects

Chemical exposures (toxicity) that severely affected wildlife
and human population (death and illnesses)
short term and long term adverse effects(respiratory,
neurological, physical injuries and psychological effects).
Occupational hazards and food contamination

Routes of Exposure
Dermal (contact) skin/mucous membranes
Inhalation(air) ocular (eyes) and Respiratory (cough)
Neurological: nausea/vomiting
Ingestion: Food and water gastrointestinal tract

Vulnerable Group/Population at Risk

Women and children
Fishermen, Military personnel's, cleanup workers and
volunteers.
Residents of the affected community and those living
near or along the Gulf coast region.
Commercial and industrial personnel
Visitors and tourists

Risk Communication Strategies

communication was not consistent and meaningful
about the importance of process safety and a firm
conviction that process accidents are not acceptable
Information was also provided about the various
hazards, risk factors, protection and safety guidelines
was given and how prevent future disasters

Risk Assessment
safety audit done in 2009
Poor risk reduction strategies - focus on cost cutting instead
Ignored expert advice, overlooked warnings about safety
issues and hid facts
Focused on personal safety
The various levels of exposure was tested

Risk Management
Poor risk management practices by management that were
influenced by wrong decisions
Insufficient emergency bridge response training by
employees responsible
Minimal regulatory compliance NOAA Regulations,
NRDA,OPA,FDA and other regulations

Legislation in Jamaica

Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act 1991

The Harbours Act 1874,1971

The Shipping Act 1998 and Marine Legislation
The Wildlife Protection Act. 1945
The Petroleum Act 1979 and The factories Act 1961

References
Griffin, Drew, Nelli Black, and Curt Devine. "5 years after the
Gulf oil spill: What we do (and don't) know." CNN News 20
Apr. 2015. CRS Report for Congress. Web. 20 June 2016.
<http://edition.cnn.com/2015/04/14/us/gulf-oil-spillunknowns/>.
Simpson, Kate. "Deepwater Horizon: An Ongoing
Environmental Disaster." Environment America. N.p., n.d.
Web. 18 June 2016.
<http://environmentamerica.org/sites/environment/files/re
ports/oilspilltwopager_2015_draft4.pdf>.

References
Upton, Hopeton F. The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and the
Gulf of Mexico Fishing Industry. N.p.: Congressional
Research Service, 2010. CRS Report for Congress. Web. 20
June 2016. https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41640.pdf
The U.S. Chemical Safety Boards Investigation into the Macondo
Disaster Finds Offshore Risk Management and Regulatory Oversight
still Inadequate in Gulf of Mexico." The US Chemical Safety Board.
N.p., n.d. Web. 17 June 2016. http://www.csb.gov/the-us-chemicalsafety-boards-investigation-into-the-macondo-disaster-findsoffshore-risk-management-and-regulatory-oversight-still-inadequatein-gulf-of-mexico/.