IOM scientists get into Deepwater
IOM scientists are to provide advice for a study of workers involved in cleaning up oil from the BP Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico.
GuLF STUDY
A new research project will look at possible health effects of the Gulf of Mexico's Deepwater Horizon oil spill on 55,000 cleanup workers and volunteers. The study began in February 2011 in towns across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama. and Florida.
The GuLF STUDY (Gulf Long-term Follow-up Study) is the largest health study of its kind ever conducted among cleanup workers and volunteers, and is one component of a comprehensive US federal response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The study is being conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health, and is expected to last up to 10 years. Many agencies, researchers, outside experts, members of the local community, as well as IOM have provided input into how the study should be designed and implemented.
Our scientists were asked to help because of their expertise in assessing skin exposure to chemicals, which in this case includes the oil and oily residues, along with chemical dispersants and cleaners.
There is more information about the research at: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/about/od/programs/gulfspill/gulfstudy/index.cfm