Letter to Mr. Lamar McKay, President and CEO of BP America, Inc.

Letter

Dear Mr. McKay,

The recent explosion of the Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling rig and the resulting oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico will continue to affect our nation for many years to come. While the world watches the cleanup attempts and discusses the damage the spill has caused to the Gulf Coast's ecosystem and industries, we are deeply concerned with the human health impacts that will result from the cleanup of the spill. As the entity responsible for the cleanup effort, it is critical that BP take immediate steps to prevent exposure to and monitor exposure levels of hazards associated with the oil spill response.

The oil, fumes, and the subsequent cleanup effort--including dispersant and detergent chemicals--pose a dangerous threat to the health and well being of both responders to the spill and residents of nearby Gulf Cost communities. Yesterday, the Unified Command recalled commercial fishing vessels working on the spill due to reports of workers experiencing nausea, dizziness, headaches and chest pains. These are not the first reports of adverse health effects, and they will certainly not be the last. History has shown that responders to oil spills routinely exhibit adverse health effects from their exposure, including lesions, dermatitis, headaches, back pain, central nervous system damage, cancers, liver and kidney damage, and chronic respiratory tract irritation.

Beyond the health effects of the oil itself are the hazards related to use of chemical dispersants. BP is in charge of monitoring, sampling, and testing the use of these chemicals, but to date, the full composition of these dispersants has remained a secret. Furthermore, the EPA has called on BP to stop using Corexit 9500 and Corexit 9527 in exchange for a product that is safer and more effective. EPA data shows that Corexit is more toxic and less effective than other dispersants on the market. Full disclosure of the product's chemical makeup is necessary to identify the full extent of potential health hazards workers and Gulf Coast residents are being exposed to and the most effective ways to protect them.

In light of these detrimental health problems and lack of transparent information regarding respondents' exposure to hazardous chemicals, it is alarming that reports have found that BP has failed to provide workers with adequate safety equipment and training on how to avoid the health impacts from the oil and dispersants. Additional reports and photographs have shown that responders lack proper protective gear, including protective clothing, gloves, and respirators, necessary to protect their health. It is unclear whether they are being trained in any HAZMAT safety precautions or that any gear they are given is being used properly. As reported yesterday by the LA Times, fishermen attended a class where they were "told not to pick up oil-related waste" and that if they "ran into oil, it wasn't supposed to bother [them]".

These workers, including local shrimpers, fisherman, and volunteers, should not be choosing to save the life of the Gulf region while putting their own at risk. Previous disasters have shown us the importance of protecting rescue and cleanup personnel from environmental and chemical hazards. BP must learn from previous oil spills to minimize and eliminate adverse impacts on human health. Failure to act responsibly and quickly is placing the responders at risk for short- and long-term health consequences. Starting necessary, protective measures now will prevent future disease and health costs in the future.

We urge you to take the necessary steps to monitor and mitigate the health effects, both known and possible, of the oil and the dispersants.

Specifically, BP must:
1) Undertake activities to prevent or mitigate risk. This must include (a) the provision of appropriate training and equipment to workers and volunteers; (b) monitoring of compliance with these precautions; and (c) activities to alert the public to possible health effects and to educate them about how to avoid or mitigate these, with special attention for those most at risk.
2) Provide surveillance and reporting of all adverse health outcomes. This must include (a) comprehensive data collection through an injury and illness reporting system, enabling workers, volunteers and local residents to report health concerns and receive appropriate and timely advice (and treatment if required) from trained health professionals; and (b) making these data available to the public and report it to the Administration.
3) Monitor the risks from the spill and use the data to take action protecting the public's health. This must include (a) on-water air quality monitoring and exposures; (b) data collection of who is working where, for how long, and their work tasks (e.g., applying dispersants, laying boom, etc.); and (c) establishment of a hotline and a website for the distribution of information to the general public.

We sincerely hope that BP is already engaged in these tasks, but if so, the public is unaware of your actions. Please provide me with information on the steps your company has taken to date, and your future plans to protect the public health of responders and Gulf Coast residents by Thursday, June 3, 2010.

The Deepwater Horizon explosion is already an enormous disaster. Let's not add to it by cutting corners on health protections.

Sincerely,
LOIS CAPPS
Member of Congress

FRANK PALLONE, JR.
Member of Congress

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