Health care problems from BP oil spill to last years, experts say

“The health care impact of the massive BP oil spill will be measured in years – not weeks or even months – according to a panel of experts who testified this week before a congressional committee. Because too little is known about the toxicity of the oil, and more specifically about BP’s own recipe for chemicals used to disperse the oil, health care problems are likely to last for years and need to be monitored, experts said during their testimony.

“The hearing by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee looked at steps taken so far to monitor and deal with health care issues, and what the longer-term threats and effects may be, according to CNN. Lisa Kaplowitz, a deputy assistant secretary of health and human services involved in preparedness and response, said the spilled oil would cause health care concerns for years to come. “The impacts of this disaster must be considered in the framework in not weeks or months, but years,” Kaplowitz said, adding that there is a lack of long-term assessments on the toxicity of oil in the environment.

“Fortunately, the monitoring of health care concerns has already begun. Concerned about the growing number of Gulf Coast residents and clean up workers becoming ill as a result of the spill, federal and state health care officials teamed up earlier this month to send a mobile medical clinic to Louisiana to treat people and monitor the long-term health care effects of what is clearly becoming one of the worst environmental disasters of our time…local residents have complained of throat irritation, eye irritation, nausea, headache, and coughs…

“How concerned do we have to be about the long-term health care effect of the oil spill? Consider this excerpt from joint report by researchers at the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Royal Oak, Michigan and the Sciencecorps organization in Lexington Mass., which assesses the human health threat of the BP oil spill: “Crude oil contains chemicals that readily penetrate cell walls, damage cell structures, including DNA, and alter the function of the cells and the organs where they are located. Crude oil is toxic, and ingredients can damage every system in the body.””

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Question from moneybldr

Debra, We recently moved into a new (older) house. The yard/garden is overgrown with English Ivy. I have pulled up much of it. It is very pesky and keeps coming back. Is there a natural herbicide to eliminate the English Ivy? Thanks. JL

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any experience with this?

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Question from Octavia

My husband and I are about to break ground on our healthy home.

We chose poured concrete for the wall system and floor primarily because it reduced the need for potentially toxic or irritiating building materials and finishes (I have developed strong chemical sensitivities and allergies over the few years, right now I am doing a lot better and hope to improve further by living in a healthier environment).

The end result will be a layer of concrete on the exterior walls, and one on the interior, with insulation sandwiched between. We do not plan on finishing (painting, sealing) the interior or exterior of the walls of floor aside from using Xypex or a similar hardener, and possibly AFM Mexeseal on the floor.

Question: Our masonry contractors would like to use two additives in the cement, and we need to make a decision about their safety vs. their function. The two products they recommended were BASF Polyheed 997, and BASF MB AE 90, both considered essential for creating strong concrete that can weather freeze-thaw cycles effectively. Since we live in Upstate NY, this is naturally a concern. I am trying to assess the safety of these products – here is a link to their MSDS, as well as one for the bio-based form release agent for the metal forms:

http://www.anchsand.com/Portals/3/mbae90_msds.pdf
http://www.anchsand.com/Portals/3/polyheed_msds.pdf
http://www.euclidchemical.com/fileshare/ProductFiles/msds/079T_27_U.pdf

Would you recommend the use of these products in our situation? Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

I would use the BASF MB AE 90. It contains no hazardous ingredients required to be listed on the MSDS.

The foam release agent is fine too.

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Question from antg

Can you tell me if there is any safe yarn {and stuffing} for knitted children’s garments

and toys?

Debra’s Answer

There are many safe organic natural fiber yarns. Some of them are listed at DEBRA’S LIST: Yarns but you can also search online for “organic yarn,” “cotton yarn,” etc.

You can use organic cotton or wool batting for stuffing material.

It’s important to use organic natural fiber yarns and stuffing because pesticide residues are NOT removed during processing, as they are when fiber is processed into fabric.

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Question from devorahsara

I have recently read that shower heads, especially ones made with plastic, accumulate toxic bacteria that comes out while showering. The recommendation is to clean the shower head regularly with vinegar and to use all metal shower heads. Do you have a recommendation for an all metal shower head?

Debra’s Answer

In the study it says that “plastic” showerheads had more bacteria than “metal” showerheads. There are showerheads made entirely of plastic and showerheads made of metal, but you would need to call the manufacturers to see if the metal showerheads are metal through and through.

Here’s a link to many metal showerheads: Metal showerheads. And there are many more than this. Check at any hardware or home improvement store.

Here’s an article debunking the alarm posed by the study to which you refer: POPULAR MECHANICS: No Need for Panic About “Toxic” Shower Heads: Reality Check.

I personally am not concerned about this. I take long hot showers every day. I don’t go in the shower until the hot water has run through the showerhead. We are exposed to bacteria all day long, every day. If this were really a health danger, more people would be getting sick.

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