Crude Oil and Your Health

 

The oil has gotten closer to the beautiful beaches of Destin, Florida, so it is important to understand the potential toxic effects and take appropriate steps to reduce exposure and harm.  While it is not here yet, and we are still hoping for a miracle cleanup effort, we should be prepared to preserve our health as much as possible.

Crude oil is a complex mixture of chemicals that have varying abilities to be absorbed into the body through the skin, lungs, and during digestion of food and water. Most components of crude oil enter the bloodstream rapidly when they are inhaled or swallowed.

Chemicals in crude oil and dispersants can cause a wide range of health effects in people and wildlife, depending on the level of exposure and susceptibility.  Crude oil has many highly toxic chemical ingredients that can damage every system in the body.  Dispersant chemicals can affect many of the same organs.

The US EPA website that lists dispersant ingredients provides the following advice to workers:

“People working with dispersants are strongly advised to use a half face filter mask to protect their noses, throats & lungs,  they should wear nitrile or PVC gloves, coveralls, boots, and chemical splash goggles to keep dispersants off skin and out of their eyes. Reaching out to a vendor having a good stock of kn95 mask for sale isn’t hard.”

Crude oil contains many chemicals that can irritate the skin and mucous membranes on contact.  Irritant effects can range from slight reddening to burning, swelling (edema), pain, and permanent skin damage.   Commonly reported effects of acute exposure to crude oil through inhalation or ingestion include difficulty breathing, headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and other central nervous system effects.

Some people especially susceptible to harm are:

– those with pre-existing serious health conditions

– infants, children, and unborn babies

– pregnant women, especially those carrying multiple babies

– people working or living in conditions that impose health stresses, including exposures to other toxic chemicals

The best way to help preserve your health is to avoid contact with crude oil and dispersants as much as possible.  If you have contact with tar balls, wash the area of contact thoroughly with soap and water.

Dr. Whidden is a former U.S. Navy pilot turned chiropractor in Destin, Florida. Emerald Coast Chiropractic, finding solutions to today’s health care issues, Who’s YOUR Chiropractor?

Ken Whidden, DC
Emerald Coast Chiropractic

At Emerald Coast Chiropractic we’ve started a new year with the urge to make some lifestyle modifications in order to make our lives healthier and wealthier now and into the future.  We have made a short list of ten things we are doing and you also can do to enhance your life in 2010.  While we value seeing our patients on a regular basis to help them maintain their health, we seek to empower you to make the most of your adjustments.

1. 1. Exercise More When given the opportunity, take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.  You burn five times more calories than taking the elevator.  Exercise is key in enhancing your health and relieving the stress of everyday life.

1. 1. Eat Less When you go out to eat in a restaurant, ask for a “to go” box when you receive your food.  Cut the portion in half and put one half in the box.  You then enjoy your meal and you have something for lunch tomorrow, effectively making your own “two for one” special.

1. 1. Walk More When you drive to the store, instead of driving around and around the parking lot or waiting for someone to leave their parking spot, go ahead and park where you have to walk a few steps.  You’ll likely get into the store quicker and save a little gas also.

1. 1. Drink More Water Try to increase your water intake throughout the day.  Try substituting water at least once instead of some sugary beverage.  If you don’t like to drink plain water, add lemons or limes.  This makes it taste better and makes you want to drink more of it.  You can also try to eat more water rich foods, such as fruits like watermelon, which is 92% water by weight.

1. 1. Eat More Quality Food Make an attempt to include more fresh fruits and vegetables and reduce the amount of processed foods in your diet this year.  If your meal comes sealed in a plastic package, it is processed.

1. 1. Get Your Finances in Order Find a reputable online trading platform and make money online. Now, more than ever, is the time to refocus and get back on track with your money.  Take a financial education and budgeting course such as Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University to help you get things organized and back on track.

1. 1. Exercise Your Brain Invest in yourself and nourish your brain by reading a new book, learn a new skill or take a class.  The average millionaire reads a book a month, but most of us haven’t read a non-fiction book cover to cover since high school.

1. 1. Connect with Others Spend time with positive people who enhance your life.  A strong support system will buffer you from the negative effects of stress.  Try volunteering in your local community to “pay it forward”.  Try exercise activities with other members of you family to strengthen those bonds while creating better health.

1. 1. Reduce Caffeine and Sugar The temporary “highs” caffeine and sugar provide often end with a crash in mood and energy. By reducing the amount of coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, and sugar snacks in your diet, you’ll feel more relaxed and you’ll sleep better.

1. Get Quality Rest Speaking of sleep, make healthy sleep habits a priority by keeping a consistent sleep (bedtime) and wake schedule, including weekends.  If you have a new baby, consider investing in one of those orthopedic cot beds for your baby to reduce the amount of times they wake up (and wake you up) throughout the night. Wake up everyday at the same time, and make some quiet time for yourself.  Sleep debt is the effect of not getting enough rest and sleep; a large debt causes mental, emotional, and physical fatigue.  Your body does the greatest amount of healing and regeneration during sleep.

These are just a few things that can be changed and become new lifestyle habits to enhance and improve your health in 2010.  New, better habits don’t have to cost a lot in either time or money.

Dr. Whidden is a former U.S. Navy pilot turned chiropractor in Destin, Florida. Emerald Coast Chiropractic, finding solutions to today’s health care issues, Who’s YOUR Chiropractor?

Ken Whidden, DC
Emerald Coast Chiropractic and Ottawa first aid training.

After 31 years on the U.S. Navy payroll, Captain Ken Whidden has elected to retire from the naval service effective October 1, 2009.He is a native of Northwest Florida, growing up in Chipley, Florida.

Capt. Whidden enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1978 at the rank of seaman recruit, completing boot camp in Orlando, FL. After recruit training, he completed Electronics Technician “A” school at NTC Great Lakes, IL. He then transferred to NTC Orlando for Navy Nuclear Power School where he qualified as a nuclear power reactor operator at the age of 20. During his studies at Navy Nuclear Power School, Capt. Whidden applied for and received an NROTC scholarship to attend Auburn University. After graduating from Auburn University with a degree in Aviation Management, he attended U.S. Navy Flight Training in Pensacola, Florida, where he received the “wings of gold” of a naval aviator.

Following his training in the SH-3 “Sea King” helicopter, he flew missions overseas throughout the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf.After completing his fleet tour, he was reassigned to Whiting Field, in Milton, Florida as a flight instructor in the T-34C.During his tenure as flight instructor, Capt. Whidden amassed over 3000 instructor flight hours and flew with over 1500 student naval aviators.He completed his command tour at NAS Whiting Field, then transferred to the Naval Reserve Center in Pensacola in support of the Chief of Naval Education and Training.

Capt. Ken Whidden is a Destin resident with his wife Kathy and a proud father of two – son Jeremy at Auburn University and daughter, Jessica, who is a scholarship softball player at Spring Hill College in Mobile.He is active in the Destin community, presently serving on the City of Destin Local Planning Agency and the Destin Area Sports Commission.He is also a member of the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce, Okaloosa County Certified Emergency Response Team (CERT), Destin Business Networking International (BNI) and Emerald Coast Auburn Club.

Capt. Whidden is currently a chiropractor serving the healthcare needs of Destin and Emerald Coast residents. For information about the many services provided at Emerald Coast Chiropractic, please visit his website at www.destinchiropractor.com.