Category: Family Health

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In addition to the lives that can be lost during an oil spill event (like the explosion that led to the Deepwater Horizon spill), spills can impact the livelihoods of communities that rely on commercial or subsistence fishing, tourism, or recreation.

Recreational activities affected by the spill in the Gulf states impacted by Deepwater Horizon included boating, fishing, and beach-going experiences like swimming, surfing, and wildlife viewing. Some beaches and recreational fisheries were closed due to oiling and cleanup activities. A group of federal and state agencies, known as Trustees, were responsible for assessing the impact of the spill. The Trustees estimated that the spill impacted recreational activities from April 2010 through November 2011. During that time, the Deepwater Horizon spill caused the public to lose more than 16 million user days of boating, fishing, and beach-going experiences. Total recreational use damages due to the spill through November 2011 were estimated at $693.2 million.

Deepwater Horizon also devastated the commercial fishing industry. The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management estimated that the spill caused a loss of between $7.5 million and $141.1 million in revenue for harvesters across the Gulf in the eight months following the oil spill. Many people rely on Gulf fisheries for their income, from the harvesters who catch the seafood to the restaurants who serve it. Across the seafood industry, Deepwater Horizon cost up to $952.9 million in total sales, up to $309.8 million in income, and as many as 9,315 jobs from May through December 2010.

These economic impacts can also lead to health and emotional impacts. After the destruction of the Deepwater Horizon spill, the people in Gulf coast communities experienced increases in stress and depression. Residents worried about the economy, their way of life, and the stability of their communities. All of these factors play a role in affecting their health.

Indigenous communities—including Native American tribes, Alaska Natives, and Pacific Islanders—as well as other cultural groups have ties to natural resources that go beyond recreational or commercial activities.

The Exxon Valdez oil spill fouled the critically important ecosystem of Prince William Sound, Alaska, with 11 million gallons of crude oil. Native peoples account for nearly a fifth of Alaska’s overall population. Alaska Native people and cultures stretch throughout the state, intertwined with the unique land and the waters that surround it, including Prince William Sound. This area is home to several of Alaska’s tribal groups, including Aleuts, Athapaskans, Eskimos, Eyaks, and Tlingits. It offers many natural and cultural resources these groups look to for both subsistence and to uphold their way of life.

The Exxon Valdez oil spill significantly harmed these natural and cultural resources. A U.S. Department of the Interior study found that subsistence fishing and harvesting took a long time to recover in Prince William Sound. Wild foods harvested in the villages of Tatitlek and Chenega Bay declined from more than 600 pounds per person before the spill, to 225 pounds in 1989, and 150 pounds in 1990. Years later, harvests had still not recovered to pre-spill levels.

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especially following oil spills that contaminate highly productive coastal waters.

Waves may disperse oil slicks into the water column, presenting contact and ingestion hazards for fish and suspension-feeding organisms. However, most oils are buoyant and rarely penetrate more than a few tens of meters into the water column and tend to return to the sea surface in calmer seas. Volatile components of oil present inhalation hazards for seabirds, turtles, and marine mammals that may lead to death. Oil driven toward shorelines presents contact or smothering hazards for organisms that inhabit or traverse the intertidal zone, which may lead to ingestion of oil or asphyxiation.

In contrast, oil spills rarely lead to mass mortalities of fish or other organisms that inhabit subsurface waters. This is primarily because most components of oil do not readily dissolve into water, and those components that do dissolve usually are rapidly diluted to concentrations below acute toxicity thresholds. This rapid dilution results from dissolution of oil components from oil slicks that are typically less than 1 millimeter thick, into mixed water column layers that are typically tens of meters or more in thickness, indicating dilution factors on the order of 10,000 or more that are attained relatively rapidly. However, even diluted oil components can lead to a variety of adverse sublethal effects on marine organisms.

In unusual cases, such as the 2010 DWH blowout in the northern Gulf of Mexico, oil may combine with sediment or other organic material and sink to the seafloor, where it accumulates and presents a contact and ingestion hazard to benthic organisms.

The harmful effects of oil may go beyond the effects on an individual organism or species. Exposure to oil can launch a cascade of effects through different trophic levels within an ecosystem. For example, oiling can affect habitat quality, thereby reducing the availability of prey (see Figure 14). Food webs can also be disrupted if predators are

Neck pain is a common problem that affects people of all ages, often disrupting daily life. Thankfully, many cases of neck pain can be avoided with some simple lifestyle changes and targeted exercises.

Common causes of neck pain

Everyday stressors on the neck are often enough to trigger discomfort. Common culprits include:

• Poor posture. Sitting or standing with your head and shoulders forward puts extra strain on your neck muscles.
• Extended screen time. Looking down at phones, tablets, or computer screens for long periods can cause “tech neck.”
• Inadequate sleep support. Using a pillow that’s too high or too flat may lead to neck stiffness.
• Stress and tension. Emotional stress can cause you to unconsciously tighten your neck and shoulder muscles.
• Repetitive movements. Jobs or activities that involve repetitive motions can strain the neck over time.

Adjustments to alleviate these stressors can often prevent neck pain that could result from them.

Ergonomic adjustments to keep neck pain at bay

Ergonomics is the science of designing tools, spaces, and tasks in a way that reduces strain on the body. Making simple ergonomic changes to your workspace and daily activities can significantly reduce neck strain. Consider these tips:

• Adjust your screen height. Position your computer monitor at eye level so you don’t have to look up or down. Portable laptop stands or laptop desks can elevate your laptop to a more ergonomic height and angle, whether you’re sitting on a couch, lounging in bed, or working at a desk or table.
• Use a headset. Avoid cradling your phone between your ear and shoulder by using a headset, earbuds, headphones, or a speakerphone.
• Support your lower back. Sit in a chair with good lumbar support, or use a small pillow to maintain the natural curve of your spine.
• Keep your feet flat. Ensure your feet are flat on the floor while sitting, with your knees at a 90-degree angle.
• Take regular breaks. Every 30 minutes, stand up, stretch, or move around to avoid stiffness.

For personalized recommendations, consult a physical or occupational therapist who can evaluate your posture and body mechanics and teach you how to perform work tasks, household chores, and recreational activities in a way that minimizes neck strain.

Mind your posture to prevent neck pain

How you carry yourself can either prevent or contribute to neck pain. To avoid strain, aim to keep your head in a neutral position, balanced directly over your spine. This reduces stress on your neck muscles, which support the weight of your head (around 10 to 12 pounds). Tilting your head forward, even slightly, can dramatically increase the load on your neck, leading to a painful condition often referred to as “text neck.”

Beyond the head and neck, the posture of your entire body plays a crucial role in preventing neck discomfort. Here are some additional posture tips to incorporate into your routine.

• Keep your body in proper alignment. When standing or sitting, keep your ears directly over your shoulders to avoid forward head posture. When standing or walking, proper alignment means that, from a side view, an imaginary straight line can pass through your ear, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle.
• Don’t forget your shoulders. Keep your shoulders level and aligned – not pulled back or slouched forward. Relax your shoulders by rolling them back and down to prevent tension from building up.
• Engage your core. A strong core supports your upper body and helps maintain good posture. When standing or walking, actively engage your core. One way to do this is by imagining that you are preparing to counter a push from the front, side, or back.

Practicing good posture may feel awkward at first, but over time it may become second nature.

Neck-friendly modifications for exercise and hobbies

Growing research shows that targeted exercises – and regular physical activity overall – can aid in disrupting persistent neck pain and promote faster recovery from neck injuries. But certain exercises and hobbies can inadvertently strain your neck if done incorrectly. To protect your neck:

• Use ergonomic tools when gardening. Opt for tools with long handles to minimize bending and straining your neck. It can also help to regularly stand up, stretch, and change positions to prevent prolonged neck strain.
• Maintain good posture and wear supportive gear while running or walking. Keep your head balanced over your spine, avoid leaning forward, and relax your shoulders to reduce neck strain. Wear supportive shoes to minimize impact and reduce the risk of neck discomfort.
• Modify your bicycling position. Opt for a bicycle with upright handlebars to maintain a more comfortable neck position. Keep your shoulder blades down and back. Alternatively, consider a recumbent bike, which allows you to sit in a reclined position with back support and legs extended forward, reducing strain on your neck and back.

Stretching exercises to prevent neck pain

Performing neck stretches can alleviate muscle tightness and maintain or enhance your neck’s range of motion. Here are some easy stretches to try.

• Neck tilts. Sit or stand upright. Slowly tilt your head toward your right shoulder, holding for 10 to 15 seconds. Return to center and repeat on the left side. Repeat five times on each side.
• Chin tucks and extensions. While sitting or standing, gently tuck your chin toward your chest and hold for 10 seconds. Then gently extend your neck to look upward for 10 seconds. Repeat five times.
• Side-to-side rotations. Turn your head to look over your right shoulder, hold for 10 seconds, then switch to the left. Repeat five times on each side.
• Shoulder rolls. Roll your shoulders forward five times, then backward five times, in a circular motion to release tension.

You should experience a gentle stretch – but not feel pain – when you engage in these stretches.

When to see a doctor

If you experience persistent or severe pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in your neck, shoulders, or arms, it’s time to consult a doctor. These symptoms could indicate a more serious condition, such as a pinched nerve, herniated disc, or underlying illness. If neck pain is accompanied by fever, unexplained weight loss, or difficulty moving, seek immediate medical attention.