Last data update: May 06, 2024. (Total: 46732 publications since 2009)
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Query Trace: Poniatowski A[original query] |
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Community health impacts after a jet fuel leak contaminated a drinking water system: Oahu, Hawaii, November 2021
Miko S , Poniatowski AR , Troeschel AN , Felton DJ , Banerji S , Bolduc MLF , Bronstein AC , Cavanaugh AM , Edge C , Gates AL , Jarvis M , Mintz NA , Parasram V , Rayman J , Smith AR , Wagner JC , Gerhardstein BG , Orr MF . J Water Health 2023 21 (7) 956-971 BACKGROUND: In 2021, a large petroleum leak contaminated a water source that supplied drinking water to military and civilians in Oahu, Hawaii. METHODS: We conducted an Assessment of Chemical Exposures (ACE) survey and supplemented that information with complementary data sources: (1) poison center caller records; (2) emergency department visit data; and (3) a key informant questionnaire. RESULTS: Among 2,289 survey participants, 86% reported ≥1 new or worsening symptom, 75% of which lasted ≥30 days, and 37% sought medical care. Most (n = 1,653, 72%) reported new mental health symptoms. Among equally observable symptoms across age groups, proportions of children ≤2 years experiencing vomiting, runny nose, skin rashes, and coughing (33, 46, 56, and 35%, respectively) were higher than other age groups. Poison center calls increased the first 2 weeks after the contamination, while emergency department visits increased in early December 2021. Key informant interviews revealed themes of lack of support, mental health symptoms, and long-term health impact concerns. DISCUSSION: This event led to widespread exposure to petroleum products and negatively affected thousands of people. Follow-up health surveys or interventions should give special consideration to longer-term physical and mental health, especially children due to their unique sensitivity to environmental exposures. |
Notes from the field: Self-reported health symptoms following petroleum contamination of a drinking water system - Oahu, Hawaii, November 2021-February 2022
Troeschel AN , Gerhardstein B , Poniatowski A , Felton D , Smith A , Surasi K , Cavanaugh AM , Miko S , Bolduc M , Parasram V , Edge C , Funk R , Orr M . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022 71 (21) 718-719 In late November 2021, the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) received reports from Oahu residents of a fuel-like odor coming from their drinking water (1), which was later determined to be related to a November 20, 2021, petroleum (jet fuel) leak at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. The petroleum leak contaminated the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam water system,* which supplies an estimated 9,694 civilian and military households (2), in addition to schools and workplaces. HDOH issued a drinking water advisory on November 30, 2021 (1), which was not lifted for all affected zones until March 18, 2022.† Persons in thousands of households were offered temporary housing, and alternative drinking water was provided to users of affected water. HDOH requested epidemiologic assistance (Epi-Aid) from CDC/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to assess the incident’s impact on civilian health in the affected area; this was later expanded to include military-affiliated persons. |
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