Effects of oil on human health
In developing countries, the process of oil extraction and its effects are not being researched as much as it should be. The authors of the paper “The Health Effects of OilContamination: A Compilation of Research” explained that they had created a database that would contain a collection of research in order to point out that there is not enough research being done in developing countries regarding oil extraction. Oil extraction is known to have some negative impacts on the surrounding communities. Oil spills contaminate landscape which damages both the community as well as the environment. Health effects of the people in the areas near oil extraction sites range greatly. Depending on the economic development of the area, the health effects vary in severity.
Severe leaking in the trans-Andes pipeline had leaked approximately 16.8 million gallons of crude oil. In addition, unlined pits that held oil waste had toxic seepage and overflow which had then affected the nearby communities.
In the areas of Hurtig and San Sebastian, Ecuador, a study has found that there was a correlation between childhood leukemia and living in close proximity to oil fields. In the provinces of Northeastern Ecuador, Sucumbios, Orellana, Napo, and Pastaza, there were 91 cancer incidences and 42 leukemia incidences in individuals ages 0-14 between the years 1985-2000. Of the 42 leukemia incidences, 28 cases were reported in counties that were exposed by crude oil. 27 of the cancer incidences were also reported to come from these exposed counties. With this information, the relative risk was calculated for both genders in all age groups. It was determined that the risk for both genders in all age groups is significantly higher in areas that have been affected by oil contamination.
Another study was done in San Sebastian in 2002 which researched pregnancy outcomes of women ages 17-45, their proximity to oil fields, and how long they had been living in that area. Women that lived in these areas for over three years was studied and interviewed. It was found that miscarriages were significantly more present in areas that were more contaminated with oil.
In Ecuador, there was a court case of Maria Aguinda y Ostros v. Chevron Corp. This case was so important because it attracted many researchers into the issues that the journal describes and leads to more research on the impacts of oil field exploitation.
The authors of the journal had found documents about the amount of cancer present in an area, psychological health, health relating to pregnancy and childbirth, as well as general health. These documents have been taken into consideration when determining the health issues that are associated with oil exposure. When exposed to the oil via drinking water ingestion or by contaminated meat consumption, it was found that there is an increased incidence of cancer and digestive problems. Although other sites were tested, those who are pregnant and have ingested oil have increased rates of miscarriages only in Ecuador. In addition to this, those who have come into contact with oil via polluted water through doing laundry, bathing themselves, or through recreational usage have experienced dermatological problems that range anywhere from “mild rashes to severe, chronic eczema and malignant melanomas.”
The project that was initiated through this paper had three main objectives. The first being the identification of researchers who have conducted specific studies that focus on oil and its health effects. The next objective would be to build a web portal in order to store data and contact information from the aforementioned researchers. The last step is to identify gaps in the available research and recommend areas where research should be conducted. The overall goal of this project is to help prevent people from different places from conducting repetitive research without meaning to.
Severe leaking in the trans-Andes pipeline had leaked approximately 16.8 million gallons of crude oil. In addition, unlined pits that held oil waste had toxic seepage and overflow which had then affected the nearby communities.
In the areas of Hurtig and San Sebastian, Ecuador, a study has found that there was a correlation between childhood leukemia and living in close proximity to oil fields. In the provinces of Northeastern Ecuador, Sucumbios, Orellana, Napo, and Pastaza, there were 91 cancer incidences and 42 leukemia incidences in individuals ages 0-14 between the years 1985-2000. Of the 42 leukemia incidences, 28 cases were reported in counties that were exposed by crude oil. 27 of the cancer incidences were also reported to come from these exposed counties. With this information, the relative risk was calculated for both genders in all age groups. It was determined that the risk for both genders in all age groups is significantly higher in areas that have been affected by oil contamination.
Another study was done in San Sebastian in 2002 which researched pregnancy outcomes of women ages 17-45, their proximity to oil fields, and how long they had been living in that area. Women that lived in these areas for over three years was studied and interviewed. It was found that miscarriages were significantly more present in areas that were more contaminated with oil.
In Ecuador, there was a court case of Maria Aguinda y Ostros v. Chevron Corp. This case was so important because it attracted many researchers into the issues that the journal describes and leads to more research on the impacts of oil field exploitation.
The authors of the journal had found documents about the amount of cancer present in an area, psychological health, health relating to pregnancy and childbirth, as well as general health. These documents have been taken into consideration when determining the health issues that are associated with oil exposure. When exposed to the oil via drinking water ingestion or by contaminated meat consumption, it was found that there is an increased incidence of cancer and digestive problems. Although other sites were tested, those who are pregnant and have ingested oil have increased rates of miscarriages only in Ecuador. In addition to this, those who have come into contact with oil via polluted water through doing laundry, bathing themselves, or through recreational usage have experienced dermatological problems that range anywhere from “mild rashes to severe, chronic eczema and malignant melanomas.”
The project that was initiated through this paper had three main objectives. The first being the identification of researchers who have conducted specific studies that focus on oil and its health effects. The next objective would be to build a web portal in order to store data and contact information from the aforementioned researchers. The last step is to identify gaps in the available research and recommend areas where research should be conducted. The overall goal of this project is to help prevent people from different places from conducting repetitive research without meaning to.
Figure 1: An image of an oil fracking machine.
Ecuadorian Court fines Chevron $17B for oil pollution
In the court case against Chevron/Texaco and the Ecuadorian peoples, an Ecuadorian judge had ruled that Chevron would have to “pay an 8.6 billion dollar fine and an equal amount in punitive damages.” The cost of damages was able to be waived if Chevron were to make a public apology. Instead of apologizing for the company’s actions, their legal team had instead suggest them to file for an appeal as they claimed that the decision was “illegitimate and unenforceable.”
In the interview which was shown in the video, Chevron had denied sending representation and to reference the statement that they had made about the situation, but the main talker was a representative from the Amazon Watch. This representative described that there were about 30,000 plaintiffs that Chevron were trying to pursue legal actions against their products of fraud as well as the claims that Chevron believed were not scientifically supported. The specific target of this legal action is to target the data on the medical impact because Chevron was able to use a small lab to do a specific test which would say the opposite.
This was all so interesting to me because Chevron had fought for years to bring the trial to Ecuador rather than in the United States. Chevron had claimed that they knew that Ecuador would give them a fair trial and that they would accept whatever ruling that was given to them but, as we can see, this was not the case. It was also interesting that this was one of the first instances that a marginalized group would be holding a big corporation accountable for its actions.
In the interview which was shown in the video, Chevron had denied sending representation and to reference the statement that they had made about the situation, but the main talker was a representative from the Amazon Watch. This representative described that there were about 30,000 plaintiffs that Chevron were trying to pursue legal actions against their products of fraud as well as the claims that Chevron believed were not scientifically supported. The specific target of this legal action is to target the data on the medical impact because Chevron was able to use a small lab to do a specific test which would say the opposite.
This was all so interesting to me because Chevron had fought for years to bring the trial to Ecuador rather than in the United States. Chevron had claimed that they knew that Ecuador would give them a fair trial and that they would accept whatever ruling that was given to them but, as we can see, this was not the case. It was also interesting that this was one of the first instances that a marginalized group would be holding a big corporation accountable for its actions.
Figure 2: An image of an oil spill.
Chevron oil pollution in Ecuador
In this video, it really highlighted the health impacts of people near oil fields. I found it interesting that someone from Chevron had told a village elder that the black in the water was full of vitamins and minerals. We can tell that this is false because of the presence of “brain damage, respiratory problems, kidney damage, liver damage, bone marrow damage, blood poisoning, stomach irritation, skin irritation, birth defects, an increase in spontaneous miscarriages, cancer, and death.
Soil samples were tested in these areas and it was found that the contamination of oil had meant that the soils are “up to 3000 times the amount considered tolerable in the United States.” With this, cancer rates were up to 30 times higher.
Chevron had eventually made a deal with Ecuadorian government that they would spend 40 million dollars toward the cosmetic reparation of these areas, but had failed to remove the toxins from the open pits. Instead of following normal procedures, they simply filled in the open pits with dirt and promised the Ecuadorian government that it was safe. The amount that they had spent was less than 1% of what a comprehensive clean up would cost. I think that it is disgusting the lack of care for these people. I know that they live in a developing country, but that does not mean that they have any less value as a person.
Soil samples were tested in these areas and it was found that the contamination of oil had meant that the soils are “up to 3000 times the amount considered tolerable in the United States.” With this, cancer rates were up to 30 times higher.
Chevron had eventually made a deal with Ecuadorian government that they would spend 40 million dollars toward the cosmetic reparation of these areas, but had failed to remove the toxins from the open pits. Instead of following normal procedures, they simply filled in the open pits with dirt and promised the Ecuadorian government that it was safe. The amount that they had spent was less than 1% of what a comprehensive clean up would cost. I think that it is disgusting the lack of care for these people. I know that they live in a developing country, but that does not mean that they have any less value as a person.
Figure 3: An image of Chevron oil for sale.
Texaco vs Indigenous people of Ecuador
In the beginning of the video, it was said that the conflict between Texaco and the Ecuadorians would never have happened if it took place in the United States. The oil fields in Ecuador typically have two or three open pits to deal with the oil waste.
Speakers in this video had voiced their opinions on the situation. Bianca Jagger had explained that she felt that “Texaco has less value for people in the third world countries.” Morlon Santi, a Kichwa leader, explained that their territory was sacred and could not be bought, but instead it was being polluted from the oil fields. Patricia Gualinga had explained that the usage for oil was different in western culture than it was in their world. She explained that the use of oil was to maintain balance and that it needed to remain in the earth.
I couldn’t agree more with the people who spoke in this video. I think that they are all justified in their claims and their feelings. They value their land and treat it like their mother, but foreign entities are ruining it and they have no control over it.
Speakers in this video had voiced their opinions on the situation. Bianca Jagger had explained that she felt that “Texaco has less value for people in the third world countries.” Morlon Santi, a Kichwa leader, explained that their territory was sacred and could not be bought, but instead it was being polluted from the oil fields. Patricia Gualinga had explained that the usage for oil was different in western culture than it was in their world. She explained that the use of oil was to maintain balance and that it needed to remain in the earth.
I couldn’t agree more with the people who spoke in this video. I think that they are all justified in their claims and their feelings. They value their land and treat it like their mother, but foreign entities are ruining it and they have no control over it.
Figure 4: An image of Texaco oil.
Chevron tex indigenous people - 2006
Discovering oil in Ecuador has been the savior of Ecuador’s economy. Although this had some major positive impacts on Ecuador, it has also had some problems, especially for those living on indigenous lands.
In 1993, there was a lawsuit against Texaco in New York of the United States of America on behalf of the indigenous and settler residents of the oil fields of Ecuador. Years later in 2002, the case, Aguinda v. Texaco, Inc., was dismissed because the district court believed that it had no right to be a case in a different country from where the instance occurred. This lawsuit was based on “common law claims of negligence, public and private nuisance, strict liability, trespass, civil conspiracy, and medical monitoring.” The complaint that drove this lawsuit named 74 plaintiffs. Of these 74, there were 15 Kichwa, 24 Secoya, and 37 colonists of Ecuador.
Health impacts were also included in the lawsuit. These health impact was investigated by a U.S. based physician as well as students from Harvard Law School and the Harvard School of Public Health. This was done by evaluating 12 residents in three different communities as well as collecting water samples for chemical analysis.
There was a press release which had an opening paragraph that said:
“Leaders of several Indian tribes in the Amazon region of Ecuador filed a groundbreaking lawsuit today charging Texaco with ruining their rivers and land, causing widespread devastation to the rainforest environment, and creating a dramatically increased risk of cancer for tens of thousands of people. The attorneys estimate the damages could exceed a billion dollars.”
Many people had issues with this release because it failed to mention that colonists were included in this legal action, and rather focused only on the indigenous people.
In 1993, there was a lawsuit against Texaco in New York of the United States of America on behalf of the indigenous and settler residents of the oil fields of Ecuador. Years later in 2002, the case, Aguinda v. Texaco, Inc., was dismissed because the district court believed that it had no right to be a case in a different country from where the instance occurred. This lawsuit was based on “common law claims of negligence, public and private nuisance, strict liability, trespass, civil conspiracy, and medical monitoring.” The complaint that drove this lawsuit named 74 plaintiffs. Of these 74, there were 15 Kichwa, 24 Secoya, and 37 colonists of Ecuador.
Health impacts were also included in the lawsuit. These health impact was investigated by a U.S. based physician as well as students from Harvard Law School and the Harvard School of Public Health. This was done by evaluating 12 residents in three different communities as well as collecting water samples for chemical analysis.
There was a press release which had an opening paragraph that said:
“Leaders of several Indian tribes in the Amazon region of Ecuador filed a groundbreaking lawsuit today charging Texaco with ruining their rivers and land, causing widespread devastation to the rainforest environment, and creating a dramatically increased risk of cancer for tens of thousands of people. The attorneys estimate the damages could exceed a billion dollars.”
Many people had issues with this release because it failed to mention that colonists were included in this legal action, and rather focused only on the indigenous people.
Figure 5: An image of a protest against the oil industry.
Oil conflicts - 2005
Oil conflict has been analyzed since its beginning in 1972 when Ecuador’s first oil pipeline was built. The impact that oil has on communities is greatly debated on both sides. The issue of oil extraction has been taken up by many of the environmental communities and groups. Although each environmental organization had about the same stance on the issue, conflicts between these groups emerged.
The author of this article provides photographs which document the situations without a bias perspective. The pictures that he has taken range from the year 2001 to 2004 during his research into environmental NGOs and grassroot environmental justice groups. He also interviewed 106 people about their opinions on the oil pipelines.
On the issue of oil extraction and the public’s opinion, the author of the paper suggests that “the engagement of Northern voices may simplify the environmental justice demands arising in affected communities that incorporate economic opportunity with environmental health considerations.” I think that this is a great idea for the United States to help out with due to it being one of the main countries that gets imports from Ecuador as well as the fact that it has such a strong influence over Ecuador.
The author of this article provides photographs which document the situations without a bias perspective. The pictures that he has taken range from the year 2001 to 2004 during his research into environmental NGOs and grassroot environmental justice groups. He also interviewed 106 people about their opinions on the oil pipelines.
On the issue of oil extraction and the public’s opinion, the author of the paper suggests that “the engagement of Northern voices may simplify the environmental justice demands arising in affected communities that incorporate economic opportunity with environmental health considerations.” I think that this is a great idea for the United States to help out with due to it being one of the main countries that gets imports from Ecuador as well as the fact that it has such a strong influence over Ecuador.
Figure 6: An image of oil on fire on the surface of water.
Ecuador oil resources - 2015
National oil companies such as Petroecuador, Petroamazonas, and Operaciones Rio Napo are responsible for a joint venture between Petroecuador and Petroleos de Venezuela. This joint venture is responsible for the most oil production in Ecuador. Ecuador is known to be the fifth largest oil producer in South America although the oil production has remained stagnant over the last decade.
Figure 7: An image of a pie chart depicting the different percentages of total oil reserves in the different regions of the globe.
Ecuador oil health - 2004
The oriente consists of a large amount of rain forest that lies at the headwaters of the Amazon river network. This region is known to have some of the most diverse plant and animal species. Unfortunately, there is a large oil field that is located beneath the rainforest in the oriente. In 1967, this was discovered by a Texaco-Gulf consortium and led to the implementation of pipelines, oil facilities, as well as a vast network of paved roads.
Currently, the oil production in the Oriente takes up approximately one million hectares. In this area, there are over 300 producing wells as well as 29 production camps. With these, the country is able to make approximately 390,000 barrels per day. Exploratory wells are drilled on average 4,000 cubic meters of drilling waste. This waste was often deposited into open, unlined pits. From these unlined pits, the waste is dispersed into the soils and water streams.
Oil spills were plentiful in the year of 1992 in Ecuador. From these spills, there was an “estimated loss of 16.8 million gallons (63.6 milltion liters) of crude oil.” From the year 1972 through 1993, there were more than “30 billion gallons (114 billion liters) of toxic wastes and crude oil” that polluted the land and water of the Oriente region.
A study was conducted in 1987 by the Ecuadorian Government that showed that there were elevated levels of oil and grease in their collected water samples. These samples were collected from waterways near oil fields. In addition to these findings, it was found that there was a shortage of dissolved oxygen in the samples. Later in 1993, there was a study done from a community of health workers association which suggested that the communities near oil fields experienced “elevated morbidity rates, with a higher occurrence of abortion, dermatitis, skin mycosis, and malnutrition, as well as higher mortality rates” when compared to those who did not live near oil fields.
The article outlined five main actions that were needed in order to prevent further detriment of the Oriente region. The five suggestion actions are:
Currently, the oil production in the Oriente takes up approximately one million hectares. In this area, there are over 300 producing wells as well as 29 production camps. With these, the country is able to make approximately 390,000 barrels per day. Exploratory wells are drilled on average 4,000 cubic meters of drilling waste. This waste was often deposited into open, unlined pits. From these unlined pits, the waste is dispersed into the soils and water streams.
Oil spills were plentiful in the year of 1992 in Ecuador. From these spills, there was an “estimated loss of 16.8 million gallons (63.6 milltion liters) of crude oil.” From the year 1972 through 1993, there were more than “30 billion gallons (114 billion liters) of toxic wastes and crude oil” that polluted the land and water of the Oriente region.
A study was conducted in 1987 by the Ecuadorian Government that showed that there were elevated levels of oil and grease in their collected water samples. These samples were collected from waterways near oil fields. In addition to these findings, it was found that there was a shortage of dissolved oxygen in the samples. Later in 1993, there was a study done from a community of health workers association which suggested that the communities near oil fields experienced “elevated morbidity rates, with a higher occurrence of abortion, dermatitis, skin mycosis, and malnutrition, as well as higher mortality rates” when compared to those who did not live near oil fields.
The article outlined five main actions that were needed in order to prevent further detriment of the Oriente region. The five suggestion actions are:
- “The Ecuadorian Government should conduct an evaluation of the environmental situation in the Oriente region.
- Oil companies operating in the Ecuadorian Amazon should change their practices to minimize environmental impacts and to build partnerships with local communities so that local residents benefit from development.
- The Ecuadorian Government should acknowledge the need for health impact assessments as an integral feature of policy development and evaluation.
- To enforce these rights, it is essential for community organizations to work with regional, national, and international environmental groups.
- Shifting trade policies in the direction of environmental sustainability and social justice is urgently needed if environmental protection, economic security, and health benefits are to be received by the majority of the world’s population”
Figure 8: An image of a doctor giving medicine to a young girl to prevent sickness.
Chevron vs. the Amazon - Full Documentary
This video highlights the damage that Chevron has had to Ecuadorian land. At one point in the video, the people in the video show in real time the damage that oil has had on the land. They dug a small hole and were able to see crude oil. The beginning of the video also discussed that Chevron had purposefully disposed of oil improperly in the Amazon and that the amount of oil discarded was more than the accidental oil spill from BP.
Ecuador: The Tribes vs. Chevron-Texaco
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