DOH warns of health risks from Bataan oil spill, lists hazards

ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT An aerial image from environmental group Greenpeace taken around 4 kilometers off Hagonoy, Bulacan, shows the oil slick from a tanker, which sank on July 25 in Bataan due to bad weather.—NOEL CELIS/GREENPEACE

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday cautioned the public against the dangers of oil spills to the human body.

This was in relation to the oil spill from the M/T Terra Nova that sank on July 25 off the coast of Limay, Bataan.

READ: Bacolod firm helps gov’t fight oil spill in Bataan

In a Facebook post, the DOH said that oil spills can harm people in various ways through direct physical contact, contamination, destruction of food sources and habitats, and even reproductive health problems in some cases.

With that, the DOH warned the public of the immediate health hazards of an oil spill:

• Through inhalation: nausea, eye irritation, increased blood pressure, irregular heart rhythm, headache, loss of appetite, and difficulty concentrating
• Through skin contact: skin irritation, blisters, burns, peeling skin, and dermatitis
• Through ingestion: vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, coughing, irritability, and unconsciousness. Large amounts may result in convulsions, coma, or death

To avoid inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion of oil, the DOH advised the public to do the following:

• Ensure that children are away from affected areas, as they usually play on the ground and are at higher risk of ingesting oil
• Put up warning signs in areas where oil spills are observed
• Ensure that drinking water is clean and from approved water sources
• Ensure food cleanliness for both humans and farm animals
• When exposed to the oil spill or any chemical from the oil spill, decontaminate oneself by removing all clothes exposed to oil and by immediately washing exposed areas with mild soap and water
• Seek immediate medical assistance from the nearest health facility and healthcare professional if experiencing any symptoms

READ: Coast Guard: Fishing in Manila Bay unsafe due to oil spill

The DOH also listed the following things for the public to avoid:

• Do not bathe, wash clothes, or wade in oil spill-affected areas to avoid exposure to the oil and any chemicals used to control the spill
• Do not bathe or have pets or farm animals drink from these bodies of water
• Do not eat seafood from affected areas and nearby water sources unless cleared by local authorities

The health department said that complicated cases and health professionals requiring referral to specialists may contact:

East Avenue Medical Center Poison Control

Mobile: 0923-2711183

Landline: (02) 8928 0611 loc 707

Philippine General Hospital National Poison Management and Control Center

Mobile: 0966-7189904

Landline: (02) 8524 1078