title: Ophthalmic effects of petroleum dispersant exposure on common murres (Uria aalge): An experimental study.
abstract: The safety of chemical dispersants used during oil spill responses is largely unknown in birds. We captured common murres in Monterey Bay, CA and exposed them to Corexit EC9500a, crude oil, or a combination in artificial seawater. We performed ophthalmic examinations and measured intraocular pressures and tear production before and after exposure. Loglinear analysis found that exposure to oil or dispersant was related to the development of conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers. Odds ratios for birds exposed to oil or dispersant were positive and significant for the development of conjunctivitis, while odds ratios for the development of corneal ulcers were positive and significant only for birds exposed to a high concentration of oil. Ocular exposure to dispersants and petroleum in seabirds may cause conjunctivitis and may play a role in the development of corneal ulcers. These results have implications for policymakers who develop protocols for the use of dispersants during marine oil spills.
authors.affiliation: Oiled Wildlife Care Network, One Health Institute, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA. Electronic address: cvfiorello@ucdavis.edu.
authors.forename: Christine V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Fiorello
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.affiliation: Oiled Wildlife Care Network, One Health Institute, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
authors.forename: Becky A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Elias
authors.affiliation: Oiled Wildlife Care Network, One Health Institute, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Whitmer
authors.affiliation: Oiled Wildlife Care Network, One Health Institute, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Ziccardi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D046091:Charadriiformes; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005123:Eye / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010578:Petroleum / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D059392:Petroleum Pollution / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D010578:Petroleum; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: COREXIT EC9500A; Chemical dispersants; Corneal ulcers; Oil spills; Seabirds; Tear production