Oil spills often happen because of accidents, when people make mistakes or equipment breaks down. Other causes include natural disasters or deliberate acts. Oil spills have major environmental and economic effects.

Oil spills can also affect human health. These effects can depend on what kind of oil was spilled and where (on land, in a river, or in the ocean). Other factors include what kind of exposure and how much exposure there was. People who clean up the spill are more at risk. Problems could include skin and eye irritation, neurologic and breathing problems, and stress. Not much is known about the long-term effects of oil spills.

During an oil spill in coastal waters, OR&R's role is to provide scientific support to the U.S. Coast Guard officers in charge of response operations. In addition to spill response software and mapping tools, OR&R provides standard techniques and publishes guidelines for observing oil, assessing shoreline impact, and evaluating accepted cleanup technologies.

How NOAA Responds to Oil Spills

While the U.S. Coast Guard oversees all responses to oil spills and chemical accidents in U.S. navigable waters, OR&R provides them with the science-based expertise and support they need to make informed decisions during these emergency responses.

Abandoned and Derelict Vessels

Sunken, stranded, and decrepit vessels—especially those with oil still on board—can become hazards to navigation while also posing as significant pollution threats to sensitive marine and coastal habitats. OR&R is working on this issue in a variety of ways.

Activities in the Arctic

OR&R is building on decades of experience in Alaska to ensure the safety of Alaskan communities, ecosystems, and local economies while supporting a rising demand for maritime access and offshore development in the Arctic. Take a closer look at our diverse efforts in this part of the world.

Largest Oil Spills Affecting U.S. Waters Since 1969

Since the iconic 1969 oil well blowout in Santa Barbara, California, there have been numerous oil spills over 10,000 barrels which affected U.S. waters.

The largest of which was the 2010 Deepwater Horizon well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico.

Oil Types

Learn about the many different kinds of oil, which differ from each other in viscosity, volatility, and toxicity. When spilled, the various types of oil can affect the environment differently. They also differ in how hard they are to clean up.

How Oil Harms Animals and Plants in Marine Environments

In general, oil spills can affect animals and plants in two ways: from the oil itself and from the response or cleanup operations. Understanding both types of impacts can help spill responders minimize overall impacts to marine ecological communities and help them to recover much more quickly.

How Toxic Is Oil?

There are many kinds of oil, and each is a complex mixture of chemicals. What are some ways oil can cause harm to living organisms?

Spill Containment Methods

During an oil spill response, sensitive locations threatened by an advancing oil slick can be protected with various kinds of equipment and tactics.

What are total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH)?

Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) is a term used to describe a large family of several hundred chemical compounds that originally come from crude oil. Crude oil is used to make petroleum products, which can contaminate the environment. Because there are so many different chemicals in crude oil and in other petroleum products, it is not practical to measure each one separately. However, it is useful to measure the total amount of TPH at a site.

TPH is a mixture of chemicals, but they are all made mainly from hydrogen and carbon, called hydrocarbons. Scientists divide TPH into groups of petroleum hydrocarbons that act alike in soil or water. These groups are called petroleum hydrocarbon fractions. Each fraction contains many individual chemicals.

Some chemicals that may be found in TPH are hexane, jet fuels, mineral oils, benzene, toluene, xylenes, naphthalene, and fluorene, as well as other petroleum products and gasoline components. However, it is likely that samples of TPH will contain only some, or a mixture, of these chemicals.

What happens to total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) when they enter the environment?

• TPH may enter the environment through accidents, from industrial releases, or as byproducts from commercial or private uses.
• TPH may be released directly into water through spills or leaks.
• Some TPH fractions will float on the water and form surface films.
• Other TPH fractions will sink to the bottom sediments.
• Bacteria and microorganisms in the water may break down some of the TPH fractions.
• Some TPH fractions will move into the soil where they may stay for a long time.

How might I be exposed to total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH)?

• Everyone is exposed to TPH from many sources.
• Breathing air at gasoline stations, using chemicals at home or work, or using certain pesticides.
• Drinking water contaminated with TPH.
• Working in occupations that use petroleum products.
• Living in an area near a spill or leak of petroleum products.
• Touching soil contaminated with TPH.

How can total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) affect my health?

Some of the TPH compounds can affect your central nervous system. One compound can cause headaches and dizziness at high levels in the air. Another compound can cause a nerve disorder called "peripheral neuropathy," consisting of numbness in the feet and legs. Other TPH compounds can cause effects on the blood, immune system, lungs, skin, and eyes.

Animal studies have shown effects on the lungs, central nervous system, liver, and kidney from exposure to TPH compounds. Some TPH compounds have also been shown to affect reproduction and the developing fetus in animals.

How likely are total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) to cause cancer?

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that one TPH compound (benzene) is carcinogenic to humans. IARC has determined that other TPH compounds (benzo[a]pyrene and gasoline) are probably and possibly carcinogenic to humans. Most of the other TPH compounds are considered not to be classifiable by IARC.

Is there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH)?

There is no medical test that shows if you have been exposed to TPH. However, there are methods to determine if you have been exposed to some TPH compounds. Exposure to kerosene can be determined by its smell on the breath or clothing. Benzene can be measured in exhaled air and a breakdown product of benzene can be measured in urine. Other TPH compounds can be measured in blood, urine, breath, and some body tissues.

CDC and ATSDR are part of a wide network of public health agencies that include federal, state, and local health departments and health professionals. These agencies conduct vital work in the hours, days, and months following a hazardous event. They also work very closely with other emergency responders at all levels of government and with nongovernmental organizations. During an oil spill, CDC and ATSDR participate as part of the National Response Team. Some of the major roles of public health in a disaster situation include the following:

Preparing

Public health preparedness is the ability of the public health system, community, and individuals to prevent, protect against, quickly respond to, and recover from health emergencies, particularly those in which scale, timing, or unpredictability threatens to overwhelm routine capabilities.

Coordination

During an emergency response, CDC’s emergency operations center brings together scientists from across CDC to efficiently exchange information and connect with public health emergency response partners. For multi-state or severe emergencies, CDC provides additional public health resources and coordinates response efforts across multiple jurisdictions, both domestically and abroad. This helps ensure that health needs in the immediate aftermath of an event are addressed with highest priority.

Health Surveillance

Public health agencies systematically track health issues or illnesses that may be related to the event. This data gathering helps scientists and public health responders focus on quickly identifying and addressing the causes of the problem.

Looking out for vulnerable people

The elderly, pregnant women, children, people with disabilities or immune disorders, and people with few resources are often disproportionately affected by disasters. Some people, if exposed at sufficient levels, could possibly experience health effects from exposure to chemicals in oil and chemicals that occur when oil is burned. Public health professionals make sure that responders are aware of and prepared for special needs.

Protecting response workers

Workers are a common denominator at any disaster or novel emergency event. Protecting the health and safety of these workers by preventing diseases, injuries, and fatalities is a public health priority. This can be accomplished by ensuring that responder safety and health is addressed systemically during all phases of responses.

Exposure Assessment

Public health professionals look to see if, and how much, people are being exposed to contaminants that may affect their health. Just because a chemical was released does not mean it is reaching people or affecting people’s health.

Sharing health information

Public health responders make sure that people have the information they need to protect themselves and their families. This information is shared through media, through the web, through partners, and directly with the public. Information that is shared gives people the tools to make important decisions for themselves during stressful situations.