Association between health information, use of protective devices and occurrence of acute health problems in the Prestige oil spill clean-up in Asturias and Cantabria (Spain): a cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
This paper examines the association between use of protective devices, frequency of acute health problems and health-protection information received by participants engaged in the Prestige oil spill clean-up in Asturias and Cantabria, Spain.


METHODS
We studied 133 seamen, 135 bird cleaners, 266 volunteers and 265 paid workers selected by random sampling, stratified by type of worker and number of working days. Information was collected by telephone interview conducted in June 2003. The association of interest was summarized, using odds ratios (OR) obtained from logistic regression.


RESULTS
Health-protection briefing was associated with use of protective devices and clothing. Uninformed subjects registered a significant excess risk of itchy eyes (OR:2.89; 95%CI:1.21-6.90), nausea/vomiting/dizziness (OR:2.25; 95%CI:1.17-4.32) and throat and respiratory problems (OR:2.30; 95%CI:1.15-4.61). There was a noteworthy significant excess risk of headaches (OR:3.86: 95%CI:1.74-8.54) and respiratory problems (OR:2.43; 95%CI:1.02-5.79) among uninformed paid workers. Seamen, the group most exposed to the fuel-oil, were the worst informed and registered the highest frequency of toxicological problems.


CONCLUSIONS
Proper health-protection briefing was associated with greater use of protective devices and lower frequency of health problems. Among seamen, however, the results indicate poorer dissemination of information and the need of specific guidelines for removing fuel-oil at sea.
Carrasco
José Miguel
JM
Environmental Epidemiology and Cancer Unit, National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain. jmcarrasco@isciii.es
Lope
Virginia
V
Pérez-Gómez
Beatriz
B
Aragonés
Nuria
N
Suárez
Berta
B
López-Abente
Gonzalo
G
Rodríguez-Artalejo
Fernando
F
Pollán
Marina
M
D000208:Acute Disease / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004651:Employment; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005648:Fuel Oils / Q000633:toxicity*; D006256:Hazardous Waste; D006266:Health Education; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000193:education; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012623:Seawater; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014838:Volunteers / Q000193:education
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005648:Fuel Oils; D006256:Hazardous Waste