Protecting Our Environment: The Effects of Oil Spills

In this blog, we’ll discuss one of the most damaging environmental concerns: oil spills.

An oil spill occurs when liquid petroleum hydrocarbons come in contact with the environment, particularly marine ecosystems. This can cause damage to oceans, coastal waters, and land. This can harm organisms living in the affected areas and cause in imbalance that affects the food chain. When animals feed on prey that have been exposed to liquid petroleum hydrocarbons, they may face serious health risks.

Along with the environmental impact, oil spills create a ripple effect which will in turn cause detrimental social and economic outcomes.

How Are Animals Affected by Oil Spills?

On land, a variety of species of birds and mammals need to maintain a stable body temperature. To do this, they repel water and insulate themselves from cold. When an oil spill occurs, animals’ ability to regulate their temperature is impaired. Some can die from hypothermia.

Sea creatures such as young turtles may mistake the oil for food. Marine animals such as dolphins and whales may inhale the oil. This can cause tremendous damage to their lungs, immune function, and reproductive ability. 

What is Direct and Indirect Exposure to Oil Spills?

The effects of oil spills on humans can be categorised into two different groups: direct and indirect exposure.

Direct exposure can lead to several negative health outcomes. This is mainly a risk for people who live or work in areas where an oil spill has taken place. Examples of direct exposure include:

• Inhalation of contaminated air – volatile compounds may be emitted as gases from uncontained oil. These emissions contaminate the air. If someone were to inhale this air for an extended period of time, they may be susceptible to certain ailments.
• Contact to skin – This can cause immediate irritation. These contaminants can also enter the body through the skin.

Indirect exposure can also cause significant health risks. This is when someone lives far away from the oil spill site, but is still affected. Examples of indirect exposure include:

•  Bathing in contaminated water – Oil in water is sometimes not visible. However, they may be dissolved in the water. If you swim in  contaminated water, you can face health risks.
• Eating contaminated foods – when organisms  ingest dangerous compounds, they pass them on to their predators through the food chain. We may be exposed to traces of oil from an oil spill by eating contaminated animals.

How Does This Impact Local Fishermen?

Because oil spills are a more common occurrence in water than land, local fishermen and ship workers are often exposed to these dangerous toxins. It is more likely for people in these working conditions to get oil spill related illnesses.

Furthermore, fishermen are unable to fish in the affected location because the sea creatures living in the area are dangerous for human consumption. The government may place restrictions on fishing areas as a precaution, so thousands of square miles of fishing waters may be closed for extended periods of time. Fishermen and ship workers may be laid off if they are unable to get enough fish. This can lead to economic difficulties which affects both fishermen and the general public in the area.

Closing Remarks

We must recognize how oil spills and other pollutants create a ripple effect of negative health, economic, and social outcomes. With knowledge, we can come together to find solutions.