Gulf cleanup workers may face health risks

BP withholding information from the public

The workers of the former Deepwater Horizon platform are not the only people who may have to deal with the health effects of the disaster. There are questions concerning exposure risks to cleanup crews from burning oil and evaporating crude in the Gulf. Yet BP refuses to publicly release tests results on those workers. Researchers say that such information is vital to determining just how safe the working environment is.

A company spokesman says it is sharing this information only with “legitimate interested parties” such as OSHA and private companies contracted to assist in the cleanup.

Companies contracted by BP, that is.

The same spokesman said that there’s no benefit in releasing the test results to the public.

The air quality over the Gulf harkens back to 9-11; rescue workers are still suffering from lung ailments nine years later.

If you are involved in the cleanup operation and suffering health problems you believe might be caused by the burning or evaporating oil, contact a qualified offshore attorney.