Changes

Stories of illness are already emerging from oil spill workers. Seven workers were hospitalized Wednesday, May 26th, 2010, complaining of nausea, dizziness, and headaches.<ref>Rob Stein, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/27/AR2010052704033.html?hpid=topnews "Illnesses among workers highlight concerns about health risks of oil cleanup,"] ''The Washington Post'', May 27, 2010.</ref> Some of the first responders who have been tasked to help clean up the oil are reporting symptoms of disorientation, shortness of breath, coughing, a feeling of being drugged, and fatigue.<ref> [http://www.wdsu.com/health/23615203/detail.html "Fishermen Report Illness From BP Chemicals,"] ''WSDU'', May 19, 2010.</ref> For example, one reported feeling as though he was going to die and has been "coughing up stuff because your lungs fill up." <i>Id.</i> Marine toxicologist [[Riki Ott]] has said the chemicals used by BP can "wreck havoc" on a person's body and even lead to death. <i>Id.</i> Senior policy analyst of the EPA, Hugh Kaufman likens the situation to previous toxic waste disasters, such as the World Trade Center and the Exxon Valdez clean-up: "There's no way you can be working in that toxic soup with getting exposures." <i>Id.</i> Riki Ott also finds the situation reminiscent of the Exxon Valdez disaster, where the clean-up response resulted in thousands of sick workers. OSHA requires BP to provide fitted respirators<ref> [http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=12716&p_table=standards "Regulations 1910.134,"] ''OSHA''.</ref>, but these regulations go unenforced and workers in the Gulf are cleaning up the oil without even the protection of basic gloves.<ref>Gina Solomon, [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gina-solomon/oil-spill-clean-up-worker_b_589227.html "Oil Spill Clean-Up Workers Getting Sick,"] ''The Huffington Post'', May 28, 2010.</ref> The vice-president of the Louisiana Shrimper's Association is demanding respirators for all fishermen, stating the dispersant is poisoning the clean-up workers.<ref>[http://www.wdsu.com/mostpopular/23703792/detail.html "Official: Protect Health Of Louisiana's Fishermen,"] ''WDSU'', May 27, 2010.</ref>  Riki Ott is calling the current situation a disaster; fishermen are falling ill but not asking for necessary protection in fear of jeopardizing their jobs.<ref>Riki Ott, [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/riki-ott/human-health-tragedy-in-t_b_582655.html "Human Health Tragedy in the Making: Gulf Response Failing to Protect People,"] ''Huffington Post'', May 19, 2010.</ref> Gary Burris, a fisherman who is part of the clean-up force, stated many fishermen are working sick, afraid to speak out because it could cost them their job with BP, the only income they have now because of the oil spill.<ref>[http://www.wdsu.com/health/23615203/detail.html "Fishermen Report Illness From BP Chemicals,"] ''WDSU'', May 19, 2010.</ref>