A recent study published in Environmental Health investigated the long-term health impacts experienced by U.S. Coast Guard service members who responded to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
In short:
- During cleanup efforts for the spill, approximately 8,700 Coast Guard responders were exposed to toxic chemicals in both crude oil and oil dispersants.
- Five and a half years after the spill, Coast Guard responders had an increased risk of developing several endocrine and metabolic disorders including thyroid disorders, abnormal weight gain and obesity.
- Responders exposed to both crude oil and dispersants experienced a higher risk of health impacts than those exposed only to crude oil.
Key quote:
“This study provides further evidence of the endocrine-disrupting potential of certain chemicals in crude oil and dispersants. Oil spill disasters will continue to occur as deep water exploration and drilling becomes more aggressive and offshore drilling regulations become less strict.”
Why this matters:
In 2010, an explosion of the offshore drilling rig Deepwater Horizon caused the largest marine oil spill in U.S. history, with an estimated 185 to 210 million gallons of crude oil flowing into the Gulf of Mexico over the course of 87 days. Despite the fact that crude oil is known to contain toxic chemicals including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), benzene, and heavy metals, there have been very few published studies on the association between oil spill exposure and adverse health outcomes. One additional study did find an increased risk of diabetes in responders to this oil spill. The authors of this study highlight the importance of further research to help inform disaster preparedness, better support first responders, and minimize the harm future disasters may cause to public health.
Related EHN coverage:
- The lasting impact of the Deepwater Horizon spill on marine life
- East Palestine, Ohio, derailment reveals gaps in public health response to chemical emergencies, experts say
- Community activists plead to be heard through “closed doors” outside nation’s top energy conference
More resources:
- OSHA: Oil spill response information
- BBC: What we've learned about cleaning up major oil spills since Deepwater Horizon
Denic-Roberts, Hristina et al. for Environmental Health. Mar. 22, 2025
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