Environmental impact following chemical contamination:

AEnvironmental impact following chemical contamination: The accident with the Prestige ship in Galicia, Spain

AEnvironmental impact following chemical contamination: The accident with the Prestige ship in Galicia, Spain

AAuthors:

Jose Manuel López AbuinGeneral PractitionerPrimary Care Health Center of PadrónDirector of the Institute of Rural Health

Juan Ramón García Cepeda General Practitioner Emergency Care Center of Boiro PHS of the Institute of Rural Health

Environmental impact following chemical contamination: The accident with the Prestige ship in Galicia, Spain

AAuthors:




AAuthors:




AAuthors:




Prestige

AThe accident with the Prestige ship in Galicia, Spain INTRODUCTION 13 November 2002, Oil tanker Prestige (Bahamian flag) 77,000 tons of heavy fuel oil with a

high sulphur content:Issued an SOS off Cape Finisterre, as it was navigating at the mercy of the sea.

The crew was evacuated and the tanker towed:

impossible to take it into a safe harbour,

it was decided to tow it out to sea.

A

The accident with the Prestige ship in Galicia, Spain INTRODUCTION

A

Weather conditions: very extreme,


A

A crack appeared in the hull and gradually became larger


A

Until the vessel split in half, six days after, (19 Nov)


A

at a distance of 130 miles from Cape Finisterre


19 November

A

The stern sunk four hours after


A

And the bow four hours later


AThe accident with the Prestige ship in Galicia, Spain INTRODUCTION

A

Result:


A

Result: thousands of tons of heavy fuel oil were spilled, in addition to the vessel’s own fuel.


A

November – December:


A

November – December: a number of “black tides” reached the Galician coastline



The sea, the day of the first impacts: 16-17 Nov


New impacts, one week after

(Nov 23)

(Nov 24)


The Asturian andwest Galician coast,10 days after the disaster


New impacts, Nov 30

New impacts, Dec 1The ship’s sinking area 15 days after the disaster


Evolution of black tides in the first 15 days


Dec 4 Dec 7 Dec 11

Dec 14 Dec 21 Dec 28

New impacts on the shore, December (30-50 days after)


January 11 January 18 January 25

February 1 February 8 February 15

60-90 days after the disaster


March 1 March 15 April 5

April 19 May 3 May 17

100-180 days after the disaster

A

Response:fishermen tried to remove all of the oil they could by using their bare hands or any kind of tool available


A

Response:

in order to prevent it from reaching the shore and entering into the Galician Estuaries (very rich in seafood).


A

At the same time wave after wave of volunteers


A

At the same time wave after wave of volunteers, by the thousands, kept arriving from all Spain and also some foreign countries,


A

At the same time wave after wave of volunteers, by the thousands, kept arriving from all Spain and also some foreign countries, in order to cleanup the coastline.


At the same time wave after wave of volunteers, by the thousands, kept arriving from all Spain and also some foreign countries, in order to cleanup the coastline:

a unique experience



At the same time wave after wave of volunteers, by the thousands, kept arriving from all Spain and also some foreign countries, in order to cleanup the coastline:

a unique experience

AHigh toxicity:

(Russians): heavy fuel oil no. 2 or (British): no. 6 or hold fuel used basically for industrial purposes (thermal power stations, furnaces, etc.) obtained from residual fuel oil mixed with gas oil and diesel oil high sulphur content (2.58%) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), other hydrocarbons and heavy metals

characterised by its low volatility and solubility in water, high viscosity and adherence and a very lengthy degradation time

What could happen with this manipulation to the people?

A

High toxicity:Hydrocarbons with high sulphur content (PHAs)Taking account the:

composition of the product, the intensity and duration of the contact, the pathway of entry, the individual characteristics of the person exposed

It can enter our bodies by:inhalation, affecting the respiratory and digestive tracts, or by direct contact with the skin and mucous membranes


A

High toxicity:Hydrocarbons with high sulphur content (PHAs)Taking account the:

composition of the product, the intensity and duration of the contact, the pathway of entry, the individual characteristics of the person exposed

It can enter our bodies by:inhalation, affecting the respiratory and digestive tracts, or by direct contact with the skin and mucous membranes

A MENACE TO HEALTH


AWho did provide health care for volunteers?

A

In Galicia, Health Care for volunteers was provided:

Who did provide health care for volunteers?

A


in 151 Health Centers, 35 Outpatient Emergency Services,3 field Hospitals, and the Hospital Vessel “Galicia”.


A


in 151 Health Centers, 35 Outpatient Emergency Services,3 field Hospitals, and the Hospital Vessel “Galicia”.

The total ammount of General Practitioners involved was of 855.


AWhat did our Group do?

Coordinators:García-Cepeda JR, López-Abuin JM

Local coordinators:Caulonga E,Fachado B, Pedreño I, Gil M,Quintas, JC

Primary Care Health Centers and Primary Care Emergency Services of:

Rianxo, Boiro, Póboa do Caramiñal, Riveira, Porto do Son, Noya,Padrón and Muros

AWhat did our Group do?

PROCEDURE

ASeeing initial volunteer morbidity and to prevent more health problems, our Group:

What did our Group do?

PROCEDURE


Distributed in all spanish northern and western coast’s Health Centers, 15 days after, 35.000 informative triptyches destinated to volunteers containing preventive fuel cleanup measures,


PROCEDURE


Distributed in all spanish northern and western coast’s Health Centers, 15 days after, 35.000 informative triptyches destinated to volunteers containing preventive fuel cleanup measures, Distributed informative bulletines to General Practitioners,


PROCEDURE


Distributed in all spanish northern and western coast’s Health Centers, 15 days after, 35.000 informative triptyches destinated to volunteers containing preventive fuel cleanup measures, Distributed informative bulletines to General Practitioners,Celebrated press. TV and radio conferences, professional and non-professional notices,


PROCEDURE


Distributed in all spanish northern and western coast’s Health Centers, 15 days after, 35.000 informative triptyches destinated to volunteers containing preventive fuel cleanup measures, Distributed informative bulletines to General Practitioners,Celebrated press. TV and radio conferences, professional and non-professional notices,Studies were made by our Group. Some have not yet concluded (long-term surveys).


PROCEDURE


Distributed in all spanish northern and western coast’s Health Centers, 15 days after, 35.000 informative triptyches destinated to volunteers containing preventive fuel cleanup measures, Distributed informative bulletines to General Practitioners,Celebrated press. TV and radio conferences, professional and non-professional notices,Studies were made by our Group. Some have not yet concluded (long-term surveys). The most important one (Dr. García-Cepeda and Dr. López Abuin) is showed next:


PROCEDURE

Our main study:

Coordinators: García-Cepeda JR López-Abuin JM

Primary Care Health Centers and Primary Care Emergency Services of:

Rianxo, Boiro, Póboa do Caramiñal, Riveira, Porto do Son, Noia, Padrón and Muros

AStudy of the morbidity derived from the work involved in the cleanup of the fuel oil spilled by the tanker Prestige

AStudy of the morbidity derived from the work involved in the cleanup of the fuel oil spilled by the tanker Prestige

Aincluded 67% of equivalent cases attended -in the period of the study- by the Governmental Information System:

Study of the morbidity derived from the work involved in the cleanup of the fuel oil spilled by the tanker Prestige


982 vs 1462.



982 vs 1462.



982 vs 1462.

Surely, due to the geographical limits of our sample, this meant that:



982 vs 1462.

Surely, due to the geographical limits of our sample, this meant that:

care was provided to much more people than what official cyphers said.


A JUSTIFICATION

AAs a result of the foregoing:

keeping in mind that thousands of people were involved and that we lack experience in disasters of this kind,

JUSTIFICATION



we considered it advisable to prevent and also to study:

the acute morbidity, both the direct as well as the indirect,derived from the cleanup of the black tide that washed up on our shores

JUSTIFICATION



we considered it advisable to prevent and also to study:the acute morbidity, both the direct as well as the indirect,derived from the cleanup of the black tide that washed up on our shores

in order to be: better prepared in the event of the reoccurrence of a similar situation or to contribute our knowledge to assist any other area that may find itself immersed in a similar tragedy in the future.

JUSTIFICATION

A

General: To ascertain the acute morbidity derived from the cleanup work for removing the spill caused by the Prestige on the Galician coast.

Specific:To quantify and classify the acute cases treated.

To identify preventive measures capable of minimising the health problems derived from such cleanup activities.

OBJECTIVES

A MATERIAL AND METHODS:

AAn observational, descriptive study, based on the collection of data, on a standard and the 061 emergency care checklist, with respect to all of the people attended to in the primary care health centers and emergency services who were involved in the fuel oil cleanup.

A research group (Boiro Outpatient Emergency Service) was set up to perform the study, and the cooperation of the Primary Care Health centers and Outpatient Emergency Services of Rianxo, Poboa do Caramiñal, Riveira, Porto do Son, Noya, Padrón and Muros.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

AThe field work: performed from November 02 - April 03.Statistical analysis: Input of the data was later effected on computer support, and performed a statistical analysis of variables noted on checklists.

Percentages were determined for the qualitative variables, while central trend and dispersion measurements were obtained for quantitative variables.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

A RESULTS:

A1.-SUBJECTS:

982 people were treated (67% males vs 32% females); age average 26 (96% 18-40 years of age)

2.-PATHOLOGIES (cases): Eye irritations: 156 (16%). Skin irritations: 134 (14%). Traumatisms: 126 (13%). Pharyngeal irritations: 116 (12%). Colds and flu: 111 (11%). Nausea and vomiting: 87 (9%). Back pain: 82 (9%). Headache&general complaints: 78 (8%). Respiratory difficulties: 64 (7%). Gastric disorders: 16 (1%). Others: 12 (1%).

RESULTS:

A

It must be noted that:- 47 presented 2 or more pathologies at the same time (quantified as a single case and classified under the more or most serious pathology).- 34 were referred to hospital care (23 traumatisms, 7 respiratory insufficiency, 4 other reasons)…

... RESULTS:

A3.-CONCOMINANT PATHOLOGIES: Respiratory difficulties (64 cases:48 -75%- had

asthma or bronchial hypersensitiv); Skin irritations (134 cases: 72 ,- 54%- were

allergic). Back pain (82 cases: 38 -46%- had a lumbago

background). 4.-CHRONOLOGY: the major part of the demand

for emergency care occurred between 5 Dec and 6 Jan (15-45 days after):

694 cases were treated (70.67%).5.-PROTECTION EQUIPMENT: the majority of

those treated up to the end of December had not used any kind of protection whatsoever.

... RESULTS:

A CONCLUSIONS:

A1.- The major part of the demand for health

care was due to the lack of coordination, information and means of protection during the first month following the tragedy.

CONCLUSIONS:



2.- The most serious pathology was that derived from accidents, either by falls or by blows with the utensils or containers used in the cleanup work.

CONCLUSIONS:



2.- The most serious pathology was that derived from accidents, either by falls or by blows with the utensils or containers used in the cleanup work.

3.- The most prevalent pathology treated involved skin and mucous membrane irritations (406 cases, 41.34%).

CONCLUSIONS:

A

AENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES:


ANALISE DE ORGANISMOS



PROGRAMA DE EVALUACIÓN INICIAL E DE CONTROL PERMANENTE DOS EFECTOS SOBRE OS ORGANISMOS PROCEDENTES DA PESCA, O MARISQUEO E A ACUICULTURA:




- Centro de Control do Medio Mariño (Consellería de Pesca e Asuntos Marítimos), Consellería de Sanidade e a Axencia Española de Seguridad Alimentaria.

• Finalidade: avalia-la aptitude deste tipo de alimentos para a sua incorporación, con tódalas garantías sanitarias, á cadena alimentaria humana.

•




- Centro de Control do Medio Mariño (Consellería de Pesca e Asuntos Marítimos), Consellería de Sanidade e a Axencia Española de Seguridad Alimentaria.

• Finalidade: avalia-la aptitude deste tipo de alimentos para a sua incorporación, con tódalas garantías sanitarias, á cadena alimentaria humana.

• Estreita relación con:• programas de control de presencia de fuel nos fondos, • plan de control de productos nas lonxas, mercados, centros de transformación e distribución.



Total number of visits to establishments in 1 year

A

Nov 1st, day sample results (one year after)

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES:ANALISE DE ORGANISMOS



Fases principais do programa: a) Fase de evaluación: para determina-lo grado inicial

de afectación dos organismos. Permite información para calendarios de apertura das zonas onde a actividade extractiva está prohibida.

b) Establecemento dun programa de control permanente, para a determinación da presencia de derivados de hidrocarburos nas zonas de producción.- Nunha primeira etapa permitiría o seguimento do vertido e, - Posteriormente, detectaría os cambios na situación das augas costeiras respecto á presencia de HC (importante para o control de vertidos de pequena magnitude, contaminación mariña asociada a actividades portuarias, etc.)



Parámetros a considerar neste programa:

a) Concentración de hidrocarburos totais na columna de auga, dende la superficie ó fondo.

b) Examen visual dos organismos.

c) Examen organoléptico dos organismos.

d) Análises do contido de derivados dos hidrocarburos (PAH´s) nos organismos.



A) Contido de hidrocarburos totais na columna de agua.

Obxetivos: • Avalia-las concentracións de hidrocarburos disoltos nas

augas das distintas zonas dende a superficie ata o fondo. • Determina-las diferencias entre as distintas zonas de

producción. • Coñece-los cambios que se produzan no tempo.

Caracteristicas:• Periodicidade semanal• Toma de mostras en toda a columna de auga de 38

estacions nas rías de Vigo, Pontevedra, Arousa e Muros (con posterioridade extendeuse a toda a costa de Galicia).


PROBING: Feb 20th (3 months after the disaster)

Rastros de VieiraLances de Nasas Lances de Miños



B) Examen visual dos organismos:

Obxetivos: Avalia-lo grado de afectación directa por hidrocarburos nos organismos.

Procedemento Operativo (si examen visual positivo): • Solicitase informe sobre o estado da zona de producción (presencia de fuel nas augas e fondos, afectación das zonas rocosas próximas, etc.) os Servicios de Asistencia Técnica da Consellería de Pesca e Asuntos Marítimos.• En función do informe:

- Zona afectada: peche ou mantemento do peche; no se continúan as restantes análises sobre os organismos.

- Zona libre de hidrocarburos: mantemento da situación actual (pechada ou abierta) e continuación das análises.



C) Examen organoléptico dos organismos.

Obxetivos:• Avalia-lo grado de afectación por hidrocarburos dos organismos.• Impedi-la incorporación á cadea alimentaria humana de productos nos que un consumidor medio poida detectar sabor/olor a derivados dos HC.

Características:• Análise do olor a fuel en crudo e tras cocción, e sabor a fuel tras cocción.• En función dos resultados, clasificanse como Aptas, Dudosas e Non Aptas.• As análises son realizadas por un panel de catadores, altamente especializados e cada mostra é analizada cando menos por 15 catadores.• As analises organolepticas estanse realizando mediante convenio coa Facultade de Veterinaria en Lugo, da Universidade de Santiago. - Actualmente estase en fase de entrenamiento e fixación dos niveis de detección e nivel umbral, para a apertura ou peche das zonas de producción.



D) Contido de derivados de hidrocarburos (PAH´s).

Obxetivos:• Cuantificar analíticamente as concentracions de PAH´s acumuladas nos organismos.

Características: • Límite de contido en PAH´s para a apertura-peche das zonas de producción fixado pola Agencia Española de Seguridad Alimentaria en colaboración coa OMS.• Os resultados, no momento actual, son o criterio determinante para a apertura-peche das zonas de producción.



... D) Contido de derivados de hidrocarburos (PAH´s).

NIVELES TOLERABLES? - Unión Europea non ten establecidos límites para os residuos de PAH. - De acordo con expertos de: Agencia Española de Seguridad Alimentaria (AESA), Organización Mundial de la Salud, e outras Consellerías e CC.AA:Nas zonas de producción, dos 6 PAH principais: Benzo(a)antraceno, Benzo(b)fluoranteno, Benzo(k)fluoranteno, Benzo(a)pireno, Dibenzo(a,h)antraceno, Indeno (1,2,3-cd) pireno : • Moluscos (peso seco): 200 microgramos/quilo,.• Moluscos (peso de tecido fresco de parte comestible): 40 microgramos/quilo (a materia seca equivale a un 20% do peso fresco) • Peixes (peso seco): 20 microgramos/quilo • Peixes (peso fresco): 100 microgramos/quilo.


7-8 meses


1 mes


3 meses


14 meses

APESCADO(Toneladas)

Enero-Oct,

2001

Enero-Oct,

2004

(y diferencia)

Enero-Oct,

2001

Enero-Oct,

2004 (y diferencia)

Jurel 23,652 18,600 (-21%)

Congrio 1,889 1,766 (-7%)

Sardina 14,091 16,096 (+14%)

Maragota 205 174 (-15%)

Robaliza 131 142 (+8%)

Merluza 12,496 13,553 (+8%)

Raya 4,958 3,295 (-34%)

Abadejo 243 204 (-16%)

Xarda 7,396 9,267 (+25%)

Rape 2,379 3,010 (+27%)

Sargo 169 150 (-11%)

Faneca 1,251 820 (-34%)

Lenguado 95 84 (-12%)

Lirio 15,984 11,118 (-30%)

MARISCO

Percebe 394 329 (-16%)

Cigala 641 868 (+35%)

Nécora 61 63 (+3%)

Almeja (2002)

2,616 1,996 (-24%)

Centolla 111 112 (+1%)

Berberecho(2002)

989 276 (-72%)

CEFALOPODOS

Pota (2001) 18,450 27,631 (+50%)

Pota (2002) 26,505 27,631 (+4%)

Choco 280 491 (+75%)

Pulpo 208 254 (+22%)

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: PESCA COMPARATIVA 2001 vs 2004


ECONOMICAL LOSS FOR FISHING:

2003: 32,7 tons less of fish and seafood (25% less than the mean of the last 10 years).

2004: The fishing sector will loose 17,3 millions of euros in this year due to the disaster (a loss in 15% of the invoicement).

AENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: TOTAL FUEL RECOVERED BY VESSELS (1 year after)

AENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES:TOTAL FUEL RECOVERED BY VESSELS (2 years after)

(seabed depth, 3´5 Km)

AENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES:TOTAL FUEL RECOVERED BY VESSELS (2 years after)

This summer:14,000 tons were emptied directly from the vesselto specially-designedcontainers

(seabed depth, 3´5 Km)




BIRDS


(9 months)


4 months

4 months

Totales




1º mes

2º mes

3º mes 4º mes


• Por las estimaciones realizadas en catástrofes similares (Erika, Braer, Exxon Valdez, Treasurer, Amocco Cadiz, etc.) sobre la cantidad de aves encontradas con respecto al total afectado, para el caso del Prestige oscilan entre el 15 y el 50%

• Estimando el número de aves marinas severamente afectadas en la banda baja (una estima conservadora), situaría el porcentaje entre el 10 y el 20%:

Por tanto, considerando que se han recogido un total de 23.181 aves entre vivas y muertas, en las costas de España, Portugal y Francia, se puede estimar que: el número de aves marinas afectadas por el fuel del “Prestige” oscila entre las 115.000 y las 230.000 aves.

AThe Prestige disaster:

CONCLUSIONS


CONCLUSIONS

A

We hope to have prevented morbidity among the volunteers,

The Prestige disaster: CONCLUSIONS

A


and also been useful with our morbidity rates.


A




A



Galician’s situation has not reached the previous status:


AWe hope to have prevented morbidity among the volunteers,



certainly we can conclude that this has been the worst disaster of fuel-contamination in the history of Europe,


AWe hope to have prevented morbidity among the volunteers,



certainly we can conclude that this has been the worst disaster of fuel-contamination in the history of Europe,concerning both the total ammount of fuel leaked and the ecological impact.


A


BIBLIOGRAPHY

ABaert A. Los posibles riesgos para la salud de la exposición y contacto con el fuel vertido por el Prestige. Informe del Centro de Documentación, Investigación y Experimentación sobre la Contaminación Accidental del Agua (CEDRE). Jano. 2003 (1459: 124-127)Institut National de l´Environnemental Industriel et des Risques. Evaluation des risques sanitaires et environnementaux résultant du naufrage de l´Erika et des opérations de nettoyage des cotes. Paris. Mars 2000Marita A, Kusaka Y, Deguchi Y et al. Acute Health Problems among the People Engaged in the Cleanup of the Nakhodka Oil Spill. Environmental Research Section, 1999 ; 81 (185-194).Miner JR, Controlling Odors from Livestock Production Facilities: State of the Art. In: Livestock Waste: A Renewable Resource. St. Joseph. MI American Society of Agricultural Engineers. 1980 (297-301).Nicolás C. El impacto sanitario de la catástrofe del Prestige. El Médico 2003 (850:24-30)Shusterman D. Critical: Review: The Health Significance of Environmental Odour Pollution. Archives of Environmental Health. 1992 (76-87)World Health Organization. Environmental Health Criteria 202 Selected Non-Heterocyclic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. Geneva OMS 1998.

The Prestige disaster:BIBLIOGRAPHY

AThe Prestige disaster: INTERNET ADDRESSES

Ahttp://www.seo.or/2002/prestige/ The disaster of the oil tanker Prestige and its impact on seabirdshttp://www.comm-prestige.cesga.es/ Information about the Prestige.http://www.wwf.es/prestige.php/ ADENA: Prestige and after the Prestige.http://www.accede.org/prestige/prestige.htm/ Compilation of basic information on the oil spill caused by the tanker Prestige on the coast of Galicia (Spain) 2002http://www.le-cedre.fr/fr/prestige/ Report by the Centro de Documentación, Investigación y Experimentación of the Accidental Pollution of the Water (CEDRE) in the Prestige case.

The Prestige disaster: INTERNET ADDRESSES


“ The Black Tide of the Prestige” José Manuel López Abuin [email protected]

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