Lung function in oil spill responders 4-6 years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Issue 6 (18th March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lawrence, Kaitlyn G.; Keil, Alexander P.; Garantziotis, Stavros; Umbach, David M.; Stewart, Patricia A.; Stenzel, Mark R.; McGrath, John A.; Jackson, W. Braxton; Kwok, Richard K.; Curry, Matthew D.; Engel, Lawrence S.; Sandler, Dale P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Volume 83:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: 233
• Page End: 248
• Publication Date: 2020-03-18
• Subjects: Spirometry -- forced expiratory volume -- total hydrocarbons -- Deepwater Horizon; Toxicology -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 615.90205
• DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2020.1745111
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1528-7394

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Oil spill response and clean-up (OSRC) workers were exposed to hazardous airborne chemicals following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. The aim of this study was to evaluate lung function in workers 4–6 years following the disaster using a prospective cohort. Participants who completed two spirometry test sessions 1–3 years, and 4–6 years after the spill (N = 1, 838) were included and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 ; ml), forced vital capacity (FVC; ml), and ratio (FEV1 /FVC; %) determined. Linear mixed models were utilized to estimate relationships between OSRC exposures and lung function 4–6 years after the spill and changes since the prior measurement. Despite suggestive reduced lung function at 1–3 years, at the 4–6-year exam workers with total hydrocarbon (THC) exposure 1–2.99 ppm and ≥3 ppm compared to those with ≤0.29 ppm exhibited higher FEV1 (β: 108 ml, 95% CI: 17, 198) and (β: 118 ml, 95% CI: 5, 232), respectively. Compared with support workers, those in higher exposed jobs displayed greater improvement in FEV1 between visits: cleanup on water (β: 143 ml, 95% CI: 35, 250), operations (β: 132 ml, 95% CI: 30, 234) and response (β: 149 ml, 95% CI: 43, 256). Greater FEV1 improvement was also associated with higher versus the lowest level THC exposure: 1–2.99 ppm (β: 134 ml, 95% CI: 57, 210) and ≥3 ppm (β: 205 ml, 95% CI: 109, 301). Lung function decrements seen shortly after the spill were no longer apparent 4–6 years later, with the greatest improvement among those with the highest exposures.