Give 'em a Break!

 

I think the hardest part of the health damage to the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill cleanup workers, etc is that they don't know what's wrong with themselves... just like the doctors don't.  They weren't given the information on how hazardous the oil or the chemicals were... & that the chemicals of the EVOS were brought in in such quantity and so strong in 2-butoxyethanol poison, that many, many were exposed that didn't even work directly with the chemicals.  So, no wonder so many were exposed and also that none of them seem to know why they have have had adverse health effects.  www.valdezlink.com/home.htm

 

Another concern is that their family and friends... co-workers, neighbors... 

cut them no slack for the Central Nervous System damage.

 

Since that work, they are 'fly off the handle,' 'rage in your face' ... all-the-time-depressed, irritable... with difficulty in concentrating, even being suicidal... to go along with the skin damage and all-the-time-tired that comes from red blood cell damage... caused from 2-butoxyethanol in the EVOS chemicals.  But what do those around them think?  What's your problem?!  There's no understanding that they are not well, and it's not their fault.  They should be treated compassionately... not rejected further by those they love.

Know Slim... in Kenny Lake?  Maybe if you walked a mile in his moccasins, 

you'd give him a break.

Know anyone who salvaged boat rope or other 'good stuff' from there?  

Maybe they put their life in danger?

That's not all... eye sight severely declining.  In 1989 he was told he had a hole in his eye and there was nothing that could be done for it.  The other eye's sight continues to rapidly decline.  

If checked out, he might be 'legally blind'  Another eyesight testimony.

Exhaustion from blood damage?  Since his red blood counts were borderline normal, depending on which lab you believe, he hasn't been checked for hemolytic anemia.

 

On April 5, 2003 Slim called with some exciting news.  The 'defated' skin from the poison in the chemical he encountered... has been helped by soaking his hands and feet in seal oil. . . just 5 minutes a day & then wearing latex gloves ...  also a soar that wasn't healing is now starting to heal.  

He also takes about a couple tablespoonfuls of seal oil each day 

& is thrilled with the improvement! Though, later he said it was 'short lived'

 

Is there a corporate attitude out there that Laborers don't matter?  Everyone's life matters...it's not based on the work they do.   Any work that is honest is honorable.  So are laborers of any less value than a boss is?  No, I don't think so.  Based on that criteria, maybe they're more valuable.  By the way, any Exxon Reps of those days knew better than to come anywhere near where the "bioremediation" workers were.   But since Inipol EAP 22 was an Exxon developed & Exxon owned product, they wanted to check up on how it was doing... *

Let's not use these chemicals strong with 2-butoxyethanol that damage workers' blood... because no appropriate protective personal gear would be provided.... & exposure times are too great.  Stop the cycle of hurting others.  If you've done this type of work, dispersants for oil or spray painting, or other cleaning ... check your blood counts!  Have the lab look at the red blood cells under a microscope! That will get you started in knowing whether you are OK or not.  Hold off on approving Corexit with 38% 2-butoxyethanol, EPA:  Just check the workers of the NJ test in February... they didn't have the right protective gear... paper masks? no way  www.valdezlink.com/pages/ppe.htm  

'Mother Margaret'