A short, bittersweet article by Todd Defren discusses the turn of events for BP after causing one of the worlds most devastating oil spills to date. Defren suggests that BP started to make strides towards potentially reaping good press out of a horrific event by publicizing its plan to pay for the spill clean-up. However, reports have surfaced surrounding BP’s lack of preparedness and proactive attempts to avoid legal persecutions. From here, it looks like the future of BP is one that is rather bleak.
Meanwhile, the petroleum well in the Gulf of Mexico continues to spew at least 210,000 gallons of oil a day since April 22. This got me thinking; what are the possible effects on nearby communities?
Currently, the U.S Health Department is participating in the oil spill recovery response. It has reported that it may have to deal with some future health issues but at this time it is merely a resource. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the several hundred chemical compounds found in crude oil make up “total petroleum hydrocarbons” and says their leading effect is on the nervous system, typically producing dizziness or headache when fumes are inhaled or crude comes into extended contact with the skin, mouth or eyes. For now, the biggest immediate threat from the spill inshore is to people with respiratory disorders and pregnant women. However, no one is sure of the potential effects to come.
According to local officials, the visible ecological impact has been mirrored by a tangible deterioration in the social fabric of the worst-hit coastal fishing communities. In addition, human damage is slower coming.
Studies of the Exxon Valdez incident in 1989 suggested a large impact on humans in addition to ecological damage:
“The consequences for fishing communities and Alaskan native villages has been that the social and psychological impacts have also persisted, incredibly so, for 20 years,” said Steve Picou a professor of sociology at the University of South Alabama. Such impacts include: increased suicide rates, increase in divorce rate, increase in domestic violence, increased bankruptcy. Such increases are suspected to have formed because of increased depression, alcoholism and high levels of post traumatic stress disorder. Thus, leaving these communities utterly paralyzed.
Going back to Defren and BP’s lack of effective PR, it is somewhat worrisome that they have include little press about potential effects on communities and public health. In efforts to stay in a more positive light, the company should put more time into researching the results of the Exxon incident. Thus, gathering strategies in order to prevent communities along the gulf from deteriorating and falling victim to such traumatic events.
Edie Smith
May 9, 2010
Very interesting to read !!!!!!!! Thanks for the information !
This is just so sad !
Blank Slate:
May 25, 2010
Yes, it is indeed a tragic event. I hope that they will look into past events in order to prevent the nearby towns from experiencing such devastating public health problems.