Determinants of oil-spill cleanup participation following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

Abstract

Background-On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, spilling over 4.9 million barrels of oil in the Gulf of Mexico over an 87-day period and developing into a long-term environmental disaster that affected people living in Gulf Coast states. Engagement of community members in recovery efforts is important for mitigating adverse effects of disasters and accelerating the rebuilding process for impacted communities; however, few studies have explored factors that determine participation in oil spill cleanups. Methods-We analyzed data from the Gulf States Population Survey (GSPS) to study the determinants of participating in the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill cleanup. The GSPS was a random-digit dialing survey conducted on 38,361 adults in counties and parishes in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi impacted by the oil spill. Using survey estimation to account for the complex survey design, we estimated the probability of cleanup participation and used logistic regression to examine the association between sociodemographic factors and cleanup participation. Results-Approximately 4.7% of residents in affected Gulf communities participated in the cleanup. Most participants were young, men, non-Hispanic white, and employed. Living in an affected coastal county was associated with higher odds of participation (unadjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.69; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28-2.24), as was having excellent or very good physical health (OR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.11-3.81). Older persons were less likely to participate in the cleanup (OR for 65+ age group vs. 18-24 age group: 0.14; 95%

Coping with oil spills: oil exposure and anxiety among residents of Gulf Coast states after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

“…Approximately 4.7% of residents in affected Gulf communities participated in the oil spill cleanup activities, and most were young men in excellent physical health [ 15 ]. These individuals residing in affected communities may have been easily mobilised and motivated to help their affected communities by participating in cleanup activities [ 15 ].…”

Coping with oil spills: oil exposure and anxiety among residents of Gulf Coast states after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

“…Increasing participation in disaster-related cleanup activities could also increase resilience and recovery of individuals and the surrounding community. 29 Although this cross-sectional study is limited in its ability to draw firm causal inferences, the findings from this paper raise the possibility that encouraging affected individuals to volunteer in times of need may mitigate the harmful effects of oil exposure. Further research, such as trials evaluating post-oil exposure cleanup participation as an intervention, is needed.…”

“…A recent study examining determinants of participation in cleanup activities found positive associations of participation and proximity of affected areas. 29 Approximately 4.7% of residents in affected Gulf communities participated in the oil spill cleanup activities, and most were young men in excellent physical health. 29 These individuals residing in affected communities may have been easily mobilized and motivated to help their affected communities by participating in cleanup activities.…”

“…29 Approximately 4.7% of residents in affected Gulf communities participated in the oil spill cleanup activities, and most were young men in excellent physical health. 29 These individuals residing in affected communities may have been easily mobilized and motivated to help their affected communities by participating in cleanup activities. 29 Future longitudinal cohort studies would allow researchers to compare exposed and unexposed populations on short-term and long-term health effects, validating prior cross-sectional studies.…”

Conceptualizing and Capturing Outcomes of Environmental Cleanup at Contaminated Sites

“…Changes to quality of life can be tracked by amount of green space created, reduction in fear or anxiety, or increase in aff ordable housing (Bacot and O'Dell 2006;Cappuyns 2016;Lange and McNeil 2004;Tonin 2014;Tuler et al 2007;Wedding and Crawford-Brown 2007). Cleanup volunteerism rates and related demographics of cleanup laborers could shed more light on how cleanups aff ect the workforce and labor practices (Sharpe et al 2019). Usage and user perceptions of postremediated sites could be collected to understand how cleanups may aff ect place-making (Heatherington et al 2019;Newman 2011).…”