2008 Woodie Awards
Toxicologist studies lasting effects of Exxon Valdez oil spill
Grace Sica ; Daily Targum (Rutgers U.)
Issue date: 3/2/05 Section: News
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NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - Within the natural enclave that is the Prince William Sound, marine biologist and toxicologist Dr. Riki Ott has found her ideal laboratory. The coastal area is isolated, has low background contamination and is the sight of the infamous 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.
After millions of gallons of oil, estimates range from 11-35 million gallons, spilled from eight cargo holds of the Valdez oil tanker and covered 12,000 coastal miles, the immediate toll on wildlife and the ocean were clearly visible. Now, research on the long-term effects is shaping health policies, environmental laws and legal debate. Ott, a marine scientist and toxicologist, has positioned herself at the crux of it all.
Ott has been studying the effects of petrochemical exposure on cleanup workers and wildlife. The conditions of the Prince William Sound and the money paid by Exxon have allowed public trust scientists to study the sound for 16 years.
"Scientists usually only stay a year or two [at oil spill sites], they stuck in there on this one." Ott said studying the spill has strengthened her belief in the need to strengthen OSHA standards, environmental laws and to reopen the 1991 civil settlement between the governments and Exxon.
The civil case between Exxon and the Alaskan and federal governments ended in 1991 for $900 million. The settlement provided that the governments can reopen the civil suit until Sept. 2006 for unanticipated damage to the habitat such as reduced number of herring fish and sea otter populations.
Ott's research on the toxicity of petrochemicals highlighted effects on the reproduction of wildlife and the food chain in the Prince William Sound, but also includes the effect on human health.
At times, up to 11,000 people worked to clean up the oil spill, about half of that population is now dealing with asthma, depression and chemical sensitivities as a result of their extended exposure to petrochemicals, Ott said.
After millions of gallons of oil, estimates range from 11-35 million gallons, spilled from eight cargo holds of the Valdez oil tanker and covered 12,000 coastal miles, the immediate toll on wildlife and the ocean were clearly visible. Now, research on the long-term effects is shaping health policies, environmental laws and legal debate. Ott, a marine scientist and toxicologist, has positioned herself at the crux of it all.
Ott has been studying the effects of petrochemical exposure on cleanup workers and wildlife. The conditions of the Prince William Sound and the money paid by Exxon have allowed public trust scientists to study the sound for 16 years.
"Scientists usually only stay a year or two [at oil spill sites], they stuck in there on this one." Ott said studying the spill has strengthened her belief in the need to strengthen OSHA standards, environmental laws and to reopen the 1991 civil settlement between the governments and Exxon.
The civil case between Exxon and the Alaskan and federal governments ended in 1991 for $900 million. The settlement provided that the governments can reopen the civil suit until Sept. 2006 for unanticipated damage to the habitat such as reduced number of herring fish and sea otter populations.
Ott's research on the toxicity of petrochemicals highlighted effects on the reproduction of wildlife and the food chain in the Prince William Sound, but also includes the effect on human health.
At times, up to 11,000 people worked to clean up the oil spill, about half of that population is now dealing with asthma, depression and chemical sensitivities as a result of their extended exposure to petrochemicals, Ott said.