Spilled Oil Threats Human Health
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
The oil spill in the sea off Taean, South Chungcheong Province, will affect not only the environment, but also human health directly, causing illnesses such as laryngitis and bronchitis, a governmental research institute said Monday.
The Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute said that 30 percent of the 10,500 tons of spilled oil is expected to have vaporized.
Prof. Lee Mun-jin of the institute said even 2-3 kilometers inland from the coast is filled with fumes and there are oil deposits in the air. ``Those who are working on containing or collecting oil are exposed to toxins and can easily become nauseous,'' he said. There are, in fact, reports of a woman being hospitalized after working without a mask and many claiming to have experienced dizziness.
Experts said being exposed to oil fumes for too long cause acute laryngitis or bronchitis. Some said in long term, it can even cause cancer.
Prof. Kim Hyoung-ryoul of St. Mary's Hospital warned that crude oil has materials such as benzene, toluene and other hydrocarbon substances, which can eventually cause cancer. ``Since the collection work is done outdoors, the vaporized substances are rare and we hope no such incidents occur. But staying too long at one location or when the wind blows onshore, there are chances of another tragedy,'' he warned.
He added that staff and volunteers at the beaches and out at sea should pay attention to protecting their eyes and getting proper protective clothing.
``If the collection work is expected to take long, then the government should consider providing the workers with gas masks, air tanks and safety glasses,'' Lee Mun-jin of the ocean research institute said.