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Background Exposures to volatile organic compounds could influence glycemic regulation. This study examines hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in a cohort of oil spill cleanup workers up to 6 years post-exposure in relation to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) exposures, individually and as a mixture, as well as a separate estimation of the aggregate sum of BTEX (total BTEX). Methods Data for this analysis are from the Gulf Long-term Follow-up (GuLF) Study– a prospective cohort of workers involved in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill cleanup. HbA1c and medication information were obtained at Home Visit and Clinical Exam phases 1–3 years and up to 6 years post-exposure, respectively. Cumulative inhalation exposure to the individual BTEX chemicals and to total BTEX were estimated using a job-exposure matrix linking air measurements to detailed individual worker cleanup work histories. We used Tobit regression models to examine associations between exposure to the chemicals and latent, untreated HbA1c, accounting for medication-reduced HbA1c. We used quantile g-computation to examine exposure to the mixture of BTEX chemicals and HbA1c. Results In results examining Home Visit HbA1c we observed no discernable patterns but found suggestive evidence of an association with total BTEX. In results for Clinical Exam HbA1c, we did not observe monotonic patterns, but rather an inverted-U pattern with elevations in Q2 or Q3 or no clear pattern. Similarly, in results for final HbA1c adjusting for initial HbA1c, total BTEX difference estimates showed an inverted-U pattern in point estimates across Q2 (0.24 95%CI (0.14, 0.34)), Q3 (0.13 95%CI (0.03, 0.24)), and Q4 (0.00 95% CI (-0.11, 0.10)), compared to Q1. Conclusion Exposures to the moderate levels of the BTEX chemicals observed in this study population, individually and as an aggregate, may be associated with elevated HbA1c up to 6 years after exposure, with an inverted-U pattern.

The 2010 disaster led to the largest ever marine oil spill. Individuals who worked on the spill were exposed to toxicants and stressors that could lead to adverse effects. The GuLF STUDY was designed to investigate relationships between oil spill exposures and multiple potential physical and mental health effects. Participants were recruited by telephone from lists of individuals who worked on the oil spill response and clean-up or received safety training. Enrollment interviews between 2011 and 2013 collected information about spill-related activities, demographics, lifestyle, and health. Exposure measurements taken during the oil spill were used with questionnaire responses to characterize oil exposures of participants. Participants from Gulf states completed a home visit in which biological and environmental samples, anthropometric and clinical measurements, and additional health and lifestyle information were collected. Participants are being followed for changes in health status. Thirty-two thousand six hundred eight individuals enrolled in the cohort, and 11,193 completed a home visit. Most were young (56.2% ≤ 45 years of age), male (80.8%), lived in a Gulf state (82.3%), and worked at least 1 day on the oil spill (76.5%). Workers were involved in response (18.0%), support operations (17.5%), clean-up on water (17.4%) or land (14.6%), decontamination (14.3%), and administrative support (18.3%). Using an ordinal job exposure matrix, 45% had maximum daily total hydrocarbon exposure levels ≥ 1.0 ppm. The GuLF STUDY provides a unique opportunity to study potential adverse health effects from the oil spill.

The large quantities of chemical oil dispersants used in the oil spill response and cleanup (OSRC) work following the disaster provide an opportunity to study associations between dispersant exposure (Corexit™ EC9500A or EC9527A) and human health. Our objectives were to examine associations between potential exposure to the dispersants and adverse respiratory, dermal, and eye irritation symptoms. Using data from detailed Gulf Long-term Follow-up ( GuLF) Study enrollment interviews, we determined potential exposure to either dispersant from participant-reported tasks during the OSRC work. Between 27,659 and 29,468 participants provided information on respiratory, dermal, and eye irritation health. We estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) to measure associations with symptoms reported during the OSRC work and at study enrollment, adjusting for potential confounders including airborne total hydrocarbons exposure, use of cleaning chemicals, and participant demographics. Potential exposure to either of the dispersants was significantly associated with all health outcomes at the time of the OSRC, with the strongest association for burning in the nose, throat, or lungs [adjusted PR (aPR)=1.61 (95% CI: 1.42, 1.82)], tightness in chest [aPR=1.58 (95% CI: 1.37, 1.81)], and burning eyes [aPR=1.48 (95% CI: 1.35, 1.64). Weaker, but still significant, associations were found between dispersant exposure and symptoms present at enrollment. Potential exposure to Corexit™ EC9527A or EC9500A was associated with a range of health symptoms at the time of the OSRC, as well as at the time of study enrollment, 1-3 y after the spill. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1677.

During the 2010 ( ) disaster, response and cleanup workers were potentially exposed to toxic volatile components of crude oil. However, to our knowledge, no study has examined exposure to individual oil spill-related chemicals in relation to cardiovascular outcomes among oil spill workers. Our aim was to investigate the association of several spill-related chemicals [benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, -hexane (BTEX-H)] and total hydrocarbons (THC) with incident coronary heart disease (CHD) events among workers enrolled in a prospective cohort. Cumulative exposures to THC and BTEX-H across the cleanup period were estimated via a job-exposure matrix that linked air measurement data with self-reported spill work histories. We ascertained CHD events following each worker's last day of cleanup work as the first self-reported physician-diagnosed myocardial infarction (MI) or a fatal CHD event. We estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals for the associations of exposure quintiles (Q) with risk of CHD. We applied inverse probability weights to account for bias due to confounding and loss to follow-up. We used quantile g-computation to assess the joint effect of the BTEX-H mixture. Among 22,655 workers with no previous MI diagnoses, 509 experienced an incident CHD event through December 2019. Workers in higher quintiles of each exposure agent had increased CHD risks in comparison with the referent group (Q1) of that agent, with the strongest associations observed in Q5 (range of ). However, most associations were nonsignificant, and there was no evidence of exposure-response trends. We observed stronger associations among ever smokers, workers with education, and workers with body mass index . No apparent positive association was observed for the BTEX-H mixture. Higher exposures to volatile components of crude oil were associated with modest increases in risk of CHD among oil spill workers, although we did not observe exposure-response trends. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11859.

During the 2010 ( ) 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 ( )] levels. Exposure to has been linked to decreased lung function, but to our knowledge, no study has examined exposure encountered in an oil spill cleanup. We investigated the association between estimated only from burning/flaring of oil/gas and lung function measured 1-3 y after the disaster. We included workers who participated in response and cleanup activities on the water during the disaster and had lung function measured at a subsequent home visit ( ). 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. We observed significant exposure-response trends associating higher cumulative daily maximum exposure with lower FEV1 ( ) and FEV1/FVC ( ). In comparison with the referent group (workers not involved in or near the burning), those with higher cumulative exposures had lower FEV1 [ , 95% confidence interval (CI): , 3.7] and FEV1/FVC ( , 95% CI: , 0.2). We also saw nonsignificant reductions in FVC (high vs. referent: , 95% CI: , 77.6; ). Similar associations were seen for average daily maximum 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. Among oil spill workers, exposure to 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.

BackgroundBurning/flaring of oil/gas during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response and cleanup (OSRC) generated high concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Personnel working on the water during these activities may have inhaled combustion products. Neurologic effects of PM2.5 have been reported previously but few studies have examined lasting effects following disaster exposures. The association of brief, high exposures and adverse effects on sensory and motor nerve function in the years following exposure have not been examined for OSRC workers.ObjectivesWe assessed the relationship between exposure to burning/flaring-related PM2.5 and measures of sensory and motor nerve function among OSRC workers.MethodsPM2.5 concentrations were estimated from Gaussian plume dispersion models and linked to self-reported work histories. Quantitative measures of sensory and motor nerve function were obtained 4–6 years after the disaster during a clinical exam restricted to those living close to two clinics in Mobile, AL or New Orleans, LA (n = 3401). We obtained covariate data from a baseline enrollment survey and a home visit, both in 2011–2013. The analytic sample included 1186 participants.ResultsWe did not find strong evidence of associations between exposure to PM2.5 and sensory or motor nerve function, although there was a suggestion of impairment based on single leg stance among individuals with high exposure to PM2.5. Results were generally consistent whether we examined average or cumulative maximum exposures or removed individuals with the highest crude oil exposures to account for co-pollutant confounding. There was no evidence of exposure-response trends.Impact statementRemediating environmental disasters is essential for long-term human and environmental health. During the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster, burning and flaring of oil and gas were used to remove these pollutants from the environment, but led to potentially high fine particulate matter exposures for spill response workers working on the water. We investigate the potential adverse effects of these exposures on peripheral nerve function; understanding the potential health harm of remediation tactics is necessary to inform future clean up approaches and protect human health.

BACKGROUND:Little is known about the effects of inhalation exposures on lung function among workers involved in the mitigation of oil spills. Our objective was to determine the relationship between oil spill response work and lung function 1–3 years after the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) disaster. METHODS:We evaluated spirometry for 7,775 adults living in the Gulf states who either participated in DWH response efforts (workers) or received safety training but were not hired (nonworkers). At an enrollment interview, we collected detailed work histories including information on potential exposure to dispersants and burning oil/gas. We assessed forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1; mL), forced vital capacity (FVC; mL), and the ratio (FEV1/FVC%) for differences by broad job classes and exposure to dispersants or burning oil/gas using multivariable linear and modified Poisson regression. RESULTS:We found no differences between workers and nonworkers. Among workers, we observed a small decrement in FEV1 (Beta, −71 mL; 95% confidence interval [CI], −127 to −14) in decontamination workers compared with support workers. Workers with high potential exposure to burning oil/gas had reduced lung function compared with unexposed workersFEV1 (Beta, −183 mL; 95% CI, −316 to −49) and FEV1/FVC (Beta, −1.93%; 95% CI, −3.50 to −0.36), and an elevated risk of having a FEV1/FVC in the lowest tertile (prevalence ratio, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.92). CONCLUSIONS:While no differences in lung function were found between workers and nonworkers, lung function was reduced among decontamination workers and workers with high exposure to burning oil/gas compared with unexposed workers.

The GuLF STUDY is a cohort study investigating the health of workers who responded to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. The objective of this effort was to develop an ordinal job-exposure matrix (JEM) of airborne total hydrocarbons (THC), dispersants, and particulates to estimate study participants' exposures. Information was collected on participants' spill-related tasks. A JEM of exposure groups (EGs) was developed from tasks and THC air measurements taken during and after the spill using relevant exposure determinants. THC arithmetic means were developed for the EGs, assigned ordinal values, and linked to the participants using determinants from the questionnaire. Different approaches were taken for combining exposures across EGs. EGs for dispersants and particulates were based on questionnaire responses. Considerable differences in THC exposure levels were found among EGs. Based on the maximum THC level participants experienced across any job held, ∼14% of the subjects were identified in the highest exposure category. Approximately 10% of the cohort was exposed to dispersants or particulates. Considerable exposure differences were found across the various EGs, facilitating investigation of exposure-response relationships. The JEM is flexible to allow for different assumptions about several possibly relevant exposure metrics.

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between total hydrocarbon (THC) exposures attributed to oil spill clean-up work and lung function 1 to 3 years after the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) disaster. METHODS:We used data from the GuLF STUDY, a large cohort of adults who worked on response to the DWH disaster and others who were safety trained but did not work. We analyzed data from 6288 workers with two acceptable spirometry tests. We estimated THC exposure levels with a job exposure matrix. We evaluated lung function using the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1; mL), the forced vital capacity (FVC; mL), and the FEV1/FVC ratio (%). RESULTS:Lung function measures did not differ by THC exposure levels among clean-up workers. CONCLUSION:We did not observe an association between THC exposure and lung function among clean-up workers 1 to 3 years following the DWH disaster.

BACKGROUND: The large quantities of chemical oil dispersants used in the oil spill response and cleanup (OSRC) work following the Deepwater Horizon disaster provide an opportunity to study associations between dispersant exposure (Corexit[TM] EC9500A or EC9527A) and human health. OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to examine associations between potential exposure to the dispersants and adverse respiratory, dermal, and eye irritation symptoms. METHODS: Using data from detailed Gulf Long-term Follow-up (GuLF) Study enrollment interviews, we determined potential exposure to either dispersant from participant-reported tasks during the OSRC work. Between 27,659 and 29,468 participants provided information on respiratory, dermal, and eye irritation health. We estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) to measure associations with symptoms reported during the OSRC work and at study enrollment, adjusting for potential confounders including airborne total hydrocarbons exposure, use of cleaning chemicals, and participant demographics. RESULTS: Potential exposure to either of the dispersants was significantly associated with all health outcomes at the time of the OSRC, with the strongest association for burning in the nose, throat, or lungs [adjusted PR (aPR) = 1.61 (95% CI: 1.42, 1.82)], tightness in chest [aPR= 1.58 (95% CI: 1.37, 1.81)], and burning eyes [aPR = 1.48 (95% CI: 1.35, 1.64). Weaker, but still significant, associations were found between dispersant exposure and symptoms present at enrollment. CONCLUSIONS: Potential exposure to Corexit[TM] EC9527A or EC9500A was associated with a range of health symptoms at the time of the OSRC, as well as at the time of study enrollment, 1-3 y after the spill.