0702-Gulf Oil Spill and Toxic Dangers to Clean Up Workers and the Public

Merle Savage was a foreman in the Exxon Valdez cleanup, and she says thousands of cleanup workers have become sick and many have died from coming in contact with what they called Valdez Crud. She wrote a book on the subject, called "Silence in the Sound," (The Prince William Sound, where the Valdez oil spilled.) She believes the Deep Horizon spill will be even more severe, and warns workers and residents of the dangers of breathing air contaminated by chemicals used to treat the oil. Benzene is a common chemical in many dispersants. People who come in close and prolonged contact with the oil can become sick now, or seriously ill years after contact with the toxins. According to Savage numerous lawsuits were filed by workers who became sick after the Valdez spill, and a handful were settled out of court and as a condition of settlement the court records were sealed, to prevent the public or any others from access to the information.

Other experts warn of toxin rain spreading illness further inland to residents near the oil spill.

In the Valdez incident workers were eventually provided with paper masks that lasted only a day or two.

Most cleanup workers seen along the Gulf Coast today are not wearing masks of any kind.