Gulf cleanup volunteers are putting themselves at risk of long-term health effects

Jun 11 2010

With more oil from the BP spill in the Gulf washing ashore, regional communities will have a huge job of cleaning up after this vast environmental disaster. As kind-hearted volunteers participate in the effort to save both wildlife and the local environment, they will be putting themselves at risk of long-term health effects.  

As a physician and researcher, Dr. Claudia Miller is an expert on Toxicant-Induced Loss of Tolerance (TILT). Her research shows that repeated and extended exposure to these petrochemicals can cause new intolerances that didn't exist in people prior to exposure. These can appear as "allergies" to cleaning products, exhaust, fragrances, medicines, and even food. Physicians can have difficulty tracing the origins of these new symptoms and intolerances because they often seem to be unrelated to the original cause and can begin as flu-like symptoms that won't go away.

Invite Dr. Miller to answer:

• Why can continued exposure to multiple petroleum chemicals cause TILT?
• How is TILT connected to headaches, mood changes such as depression and irritability, sleep problems, fatigue, asthma, and autoimmune disorders?  
• Are pregnant women at greater risk and how can they protect themselves?
• What are the common symptoms that might indicate TILT?
• Could the chemicals used in the cleanup effort be as harmful as the oil?  
• How can people determine whether they are at risk and protect themselves?