2 More Oil Spill Clean-Up Workers Hospitalized After Falling Sick

The devastating effects of the BP oil spill continue to increase across the Gulf Coast. Workers attempting to clean up the spill have been sickened and now two have become hospitalized after feeling sick while on the job. Local shrimpers have been assisting in the effort to clean up the catastrophe. The workers were exposed to chemical dispersants being dropped over the area.

President of the Shrimpers Association Clint Guidry explains his people are fully capable of doing their job but the actions of BP are criminal. BP has hired planes to fly very low over the area and dump the chemicals over the spill. Guidry states his people are not given adequate protective gear nor is the air quality around the clean up vessels  properly monitored. The recent two hospitalizations occurred shortly after the workers began burning off an oil slick. Doctors at the West Jefferson Medical Center in Marrero, Louisiana admitted the illnesses could be a result of chemical exposure, but they cannot say for absolutely sure if that is truly the cause. The workers are expected to be released sometime  on Sunday.

Seven oil spill workers were hospitalized earlier in the week after feeling headaches, dizziness, chest pains and nausea. Officials for the Coast Guard, BP and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are looking into worker’s safety claims. Mary Landry from the Coast Guard suggests the illnesses may be attributed to the heat and humidity that Louisiana is known for. She goes on to say the workers in the first incident had proper equipment and training.