FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Ricky Elliott, (251) 937-5859
David Mann, (251) 690-8823

The Alabama Department of Public Health encourages persons who were involved in some aspect of the cleanup after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion to enroll in a study that will look at possible health effects of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

The Gulf Long-term Follow-up Study is being conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health. Many agencies, researchers, outside experts and members of the local community have provided input into how the study should be designed and implemented. The study is designed to find answers to the questions that matter to oil spill cleanup workers and area residents.

Additional volunteers are needed for this large study. Participants may be eligible if they:

• Are at least 21 years old.
• Did oil spill clean-up work for at least one day.
• Were not directly involved in oil spill cleanup, but supported the cleanup effort in some
  way, or completed oil spill worker training.

Dr. Donald Williamson, state health officer, encourages participation in the study. He said, “We continue to work with our partners to learn about the long-term health impacts of the oil spill on the public’s health. We appreciate the valuable contributions being made by volunteers assisting with this study, which may shape responses to future oil spills.”

Click adph.org/riskcommunication/index.asp?id=5575 to link to a web page that includes information on response worker resources, community projects and resources, reports and links to data sources. The web page includes a narrated presentation and information on how to become a study participant. All information obtained provided will be kept confidential and identities of participants will be protected.

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3/26/12