Pallone Announces Hearing on Possible Public Health Effects of Oil Spill

June 14, 2010

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone Jr., announced a House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing on the possible public health effects associated with the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The hearing titled, “HHS Actions to Identify and Address Health Effects of the BP Oil Spill” will examine the public health implications of the nation’s worst oil spill.

As an unknown amount of oil continues to spill into the Gulf of Mexico, questions about the effects of the oil spill on the public’s health were prompted by several cleanup workers being sent to the hospital for headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Also the use of chemical dispersants by BP, the possible contamination of seafood, and effects on cleanup workers health will all be examined at the hearing.

“This disaster, which is causing unprecedented damage to the animals and the environment, could also affect people’s health,” said Pallone. “We have to think about how the effects could reach beyond sand and seafood. As BP will be required to pay for the entire cost of cleanup and economic effects, I want to make sure the company will be held responsible for any possible effects on public health.”

Agencies within Health and Human Services including the Centers for Disease Control/The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, and the Food and Drug Administration will all address the Administration’s efforts to address possible health effects of the oil spill.

The hearing will begin at 2:00 p.m. in 2123 Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing will be webcast at https://democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/. The witness list appears below.

John Howard, M.D., M.P.H., J.D., LL.M.
Director
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Mike Taylor, J.D.
Deputy Commissioner for Foods
U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Lisa Kaplowitz, M.D., M.S.H.A.
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response

Aubrey Miller, M.D., M.P.H.
Senior Medical Advisor,
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
National Institutes of Health