The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB) has been involved in response to the oil spill since shortly after the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon. Multiple discussions with community groups related to environmental health impacts have revealed primary concerns over lack of knowledge regarding the safety of petrogenic polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the oil, its disposition due to use of dispersants, and long-term effects on the food web and human health effects. Concerns are increased since many families not only subsist on Gulf seafood but also rely on its harvest for financial support. This proposal thus seeks to understand the long-term health effects arising from contamination of the (3ulf by oil, with emphasis on Gulf finfish and shellfish and potential effects in humans consuming them. Project 1 utilizes a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), which actively involves the community in each phase. We will assess effects on human health at both individual and community levels, given that many Coastal communities have also suffered from a sequence of natural disasters. Project 1 includes: community organizations from LA and MS, UTMB, the University of Pennsylvania, Texas A&M University at Galveston, LA State University, and the University of AZ.
Specific aims i nclude: 1) establishing the consortium between Gulf fishing communities and academic scientists;2) carrying out a comprehensive health assessment of exposed Gulf-fishing community members residing in LA and MS to include measures of parent petrogenic PAH in biospecimens and health effects, to be analyzed in Project 2;3) measuring exposure and response biomarkers of petrogenic PAH, biomarkers of health effects including smoke exposure and psychosocial stress, and intermediate cancer biomarkers in the Project 1 cohort to be analyzed in Projects 3 and 4;4) assessing the relationship of consumption of Gulf seafood and biomarkers of exposure, effect, and oxidative stress in the Gulf Coast population, 5) assessing the household and community economics of seafood;6) investigating the inherent/traditional community resilience in affected communities and 7) evaluating the success of processes and outcomes in meeting identified needs.

Public Health Relevance

Following the Gulf oil spill pressing questions regarding the safety of the seafood have been raised by the communities most likely to be affected. By determining the level of contamination of PAH in various seafood species, and the toxicity associated with the PAH, we will be able to address the human health risk associated with local seafood consumption in the wake of the oil spill.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Research Program--Cooperative Agreements (U19)
Project #
5U19ES020676-03
Application #
8469041
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZES1-LWJ-J)
Project Start
2013-05-01
Project End
2016-04-30
Budget Start
2013-05-01
Budget End
2014-04-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$477,375
Indirect Cost
$114,196
Name
University of Texas Medical Br Galveston
Department
Type
DUNS #
800771149
City
Galveston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77555
Colten, Craig E; Simms, Jessica R Z; Grismore, Audrey A et al. (2018) Social Justice and Mobility in Coastal Louisiana, USA. Reg Environ Change 18:371-383
Huang, Meng; Mesaros, Clementina; Hackfeld, Linda C et al. (2017) Potential Metabolic Activation of Representative Alkylated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons 1-Methylphenanthrene and 9-Ethylphenanthrene Associated with the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in Human Hepatoma (HepG2) Cells. Chem Res Toxicol 30:2140-2150
Al-Ansari, Ebrahim M A S; Abdel-Moati, Mohamed A R; Yigiterhan, Oguz et al. (2017) Mercury accumulation in Lethrinus nebulosus from the marine waters of the Qatar EEZ. Mar Pollut Bull 121:143-153
Huang, Meng; Mesaros, Clementina; Hackfeld, Linda C et al. (2017) Potential Metabolic Activation of a Representative C4-Alkylated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Retene (1-Methyl-7-isopropyl-phenanthrene) Associated with the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in Human Hepatoma (HepG2) Cells. Chem Res Toxicol 30:1093-1101
Croisant, Sharon A; Lin, Yu-Li; Shearer, Joseph J et al. (2017) The Gulf Coast Health Alliance: Health Risks Related to the Macondo Spill (GC-HARMS) Study: Self-Reported Health Effects. Int J Environ Res Public Health 14:
Huang, Meng; Mesaros, Clementina; Zhang, Suhong et al. (2016) Potential Metabolic Activation of a Representative C2-Alkylated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon 6-Ethylchrysene Associated with the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in Human Hepatoma (HepG2) Cells. Chem Res Toxicol 29:991-1002
Abramson, David M; Grattan, Lynn M; Mayer, Brian et al. (2015) The resilience activation framework: a conceptual model of how access to social resources promotes adaptation and rapid recovery in post-disaster settings. J Behav Health Serv Res 42:42-57
Huang, Meng; Zhang, Li; Mesaros, Clementina et al. (2015) Metabolism of an Alkylated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon 5-Methylchrysene in Human Hepatoma (HepG2) Cells. Chem Res Toxicol 28:2045-58
Huang, Meng; Zhang, Li; Mesaros, Clementina et al. (2014) Metabolism of a representative oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) phenanthrene-9,10-quinone in human hepatoma (HepG2) cells. Chem Res Toxicol 27:852-63