Fine Particulate Matter and Lung Function among Burning-Exposed Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Workers

Abstract

Background: During the 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) disaster, controlled burning was conducted to remove oil from the water. Workers near combustion sites were potentially exposed to increased fine particulate matter [with aerodynamic diameter $\le 2.5\mu m$ (${\mathrm{PM}}_{2.5}$)] levels. Exposure to ${\mathrm{PM}}_{2.5}$ has been linked to decreased lung function, but to our knowledge, no study has examined exposure encountered in an oil spill cleanup.

Objective: We investigated the association between estimated ${\mathrm{PM}}_{2.5}$ only from burning/flaring of oil/gas and lung function measured 1-3 y after the DWH disaster.

Methods: We included workers who participated in response and cleanup activities on the water during the DWH disaster and had lung function measured at a subsequent home visit ($n=\mathrm{2,316}$). ${\mathrm{PM}}_{2.5}$ concentrations were estimated using a Gaussian plume dispersion model and linked to work histories via a job-exposure matrix. We evaluated forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1; milliliters), forced vital capacity (FVC; milliliters), and their ratio (FEV1/FVC; %) in relation to average and cumulative daily maximum exposures using multivariable linear regressions.

Results: We observed significant exposure-response trends associating higher cumulative daily maximum ${\mathrm{PM}}_{2.5}$ exposure with lower FEV1 ($p\text{-trend}=0.04$) and FEV1/FVC ($p\text{-trend}=0.01$). In comparison with the referent group (workers not involved in or near the burning), those with higher cumulative exposures had lower FEV1 [$-166.8\mathrm{mL}$, 95% confidence interval (CI): $-337.3$, 3.7] and FEV1/FVC ($-1.7$, 95% CI: $-3.6$, 0.2). We also saw nonsignificant reductions in FVC (high vs. referent: $-120.9$, 95% CI: $-319.4$, 77.6; $p\text{-trend}=0.36$). Similar associations were seen for average daily maximum ${\mathrm{PM}}_{2.5}$ exposure. Inverse associations were also observed in analyses stratified by smoking and time from exposure to spirometry and when we restricted to workers without prespill lung disease.

Conclusions: Among oil spill workers, exposure to ${\mathrm{PM}}_{2.5}$ specifically from controlled burning of oil/gas was associated with significantly lower FEV1 and FEV1/FVC when compared with workers not involved in burning. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8930.